JP5340425B2 - Image encoding method, image decoding method, image encoding device, and image decoding device - Google Patents

Abstract

An image coding method for properly handling a 3D video format including a base layer and an enhancement layer includes a video layer and a system layer. The video layer includes a step (S1801) of coding an image to generate a coded stream. The system layer includes a step (S1802) of multiplexing the coded stream and an identifier to generate a system stream, the identifier indicating whether or not the image has a left-right mixed format that includes a base layer and an enhancement layer and that has a left view image area and a right view image area in each picture. In the coding step (S1801), the image that includes the base layer and the enhancement layer and that has the left view image area and the right view image area in each picture is coded to generate the coded stream, when the image has the left-right mixed format.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image encoding including a video layer that encodes an image including one or more pictures to generate an encoded stream, and a system layer that generates a system stream for transmitting or storing the encoded stream. Regarding the method.

  H.264 recommended by ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector). H.264 has an extended standard called Scalable Video Coding (SVC) for realizing spatial scalability and temporal scalability.

  In SVC, scalability (extensibility) is ensured by a plurality of layers including a base layer and an extension layer. For example, a low resolution image is obtained from the base layer. A high-resolution image is obtained from the enhancement layer.

  In SVC, spatial scalability means extensibility in terms of image resolution or image size. Time scalability means extensibility with respect to frame rate and the like. By handling these in a plurality of hierarchies, graded quality is realized.

  In addition, H.264 recommended by ITU-T. H.264 has an extended standard called multi-view video coding (MVC) that can efficiently encode a plurality of images for a plurality of viewpoints (views).

  In MVC, multiple images for multiple views are encoded, including base views (also called independent views) and non-base views (also called dependent views). Then, in the case of encoding, inter-view prediction may be used. For example, a base view image is used as a predicted image for encoding a non-base view image. Thereby, encoding efficiency improves.

  Non-Patent Documents 1 to 5 describe standards for identifying the above-mentioned extended standards in the MPEG-2 system for encoding images and audio.

ITU-T Rec. H. 222.0 | ISO / IEC 13818-1 ISO / IEC 13818-1: 2007 / Amd 4: 2009 Recommendation H. 222.0 (2006) Amendment 4 (12/09) “Transport of multiview video over ITU-T Rec. H.222.0 | ISO / IEC 13818-1” ISO / IEC 13818-1: 2007 / Amd 3: 2009 Recommendation H. 222.0 (2006) Amendment 3 (03/09) "Transport of scalable video over ITU-T Rec. H.222.0 | ISO / IEC 13818-1"

  However, the conventional SVC has no provision for handling 3D images, and the conventional SVC cannot handle 3D images. On the other hand, the conventional MVC can handle 3D images, but cannot handle 3D images with different resolutions.

  For example, the image area is divided into two areas on the left and right, a left-eye image is arranged in the left area, and a right-eye image is arranged in the right area (SBS: Side By Side). There is a video format called. In side-by-side, the resolution per side is half the normal. Specifically, in a full HD environment configured with a resolution of 1920 pixels × 1080 pixels, the resolution per side obtained by side-by-side is half that of full HD.

  Conventional SVC and conventional MVC have a function of encoding an image using a side-by-side video format so that the resolution of the base layer is half of full HD and the resolution of the extension layer is full HD. Absent.

  If an image is encoded with a conventional MVC or a conventional SVC in a side-by-side video format, it is difficult to distinguish between a bit stream obtained using side-by-side and a bit stream obtained without using side-by-side. Become. More specifically, it is difficult to discriminate between these video formats in a system layer such as Non-Patent Document 1 (ITU-T Rec. H.222.0 | ISO / IEC 13818-1). Become. Therefore, the configuration of the image decoding apparatus becomes complicated.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image encoding method and an image decoding method that can appropriately cope with a 3D video format composed of a base layer and an enhancement layer.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image encoding method according to the present invention encodes an image composed of one or more pictures to generate an encoded stream, and transmits or stores the encoded stream. An image encoding method including a system layer for generating the system stream, wherein the video layer includes an encoding step of encoding the image to generate the encoded stream, and the system layer includes (i ) Whether the format of the image is a left / right mixed format including a base layer and an enhancement layer for supporting a plurality of precisions, and including a left-viewpoint image region and a right-viewpoint image region in one picture And (ii) the system stream by multiplexing the encoded stream generated in the encoding step. A multiplexing step for generating, and in the encoding step, when the format of the image is the left / right mixed format, the base layer and the enhancement layer are included, and the picture area for the left viewpoint is included in the one picture. And the right-view image area are encoded to generate the encoded stream.

  As a result, the image encoding method according to the present invention can generate a system stream that allows the decoding-side system layer to determine whether or not an image is a left-right mixed format. Therefore, the image coding method according to the present invention can appropriately cope with the 3D video format composed of the base layer and the enhancement layer.

  Further, the system layer conforms to an MPEG-2 system, the video layer conforms to a multi-view video encoding scheme, and the encoding step encodes the image according to the multi-view video encoding scheme. The encoded stream is generated, and in the multiplexing step, the identifier is inserted into a descriptor for the multi-view video encoding method, the descriptor including the identifier is multiplexed with the encoded stream, and A system stream may be generated.

  Thereby, an image is encoded by the multi-view video encoding method. Then, an identifier is inserted into the descriptor for the multi-view video encoding method. Therefore, the image coding method according to the present invention can generate an appropriate system stream using a descriptor.

  In addition, the video layer is H.264. In accordance with H.264 MVC, the descriptor for the multi-view video encoding method is the H.264 MVC. HVC H.264 MVC descriptor, in the encoding step, the H.264 MVC. H.264 MVC is used to generate the encoded stream by encoding the image. The system stream may be generated by inserting the identifier into the MVC descriptor for H.264 MVC and multiplexing the MVC descriptor including the identifier and the encoded stream.

  As a result, H.C. The image is encoded with H.264 MVC. And H. An identifier is inserted into the MVC descriptor for H.264 MVC. Therefore, the image coding method according to the present invention can generate an appropriate system stream using the MVC descriptor.

  In the encoding step, if the format of the image is the left / right mixed format, the image of the left / right mixed format is encoded, and if the format of the image is not the left / right mixed format, The right-and-left independent format image, which is a format that includes a right-view picture and a right-view picture, may be encoded.

  Accordingly, the image encoding method according to the present invention can encode an image in a left / right mixed format or an image in a left / right independent format.

  In addition, the system layer conforms to an MPEG-2 system, the video layer conforms to a scalable video encoding scheme, and the encoding step encodes the image according to the scalable video encoding scheme and encodes the code In the multiplexing step, the identifier is inserted into a descriptor for the scalable video coding method, the descriptor including the identifier is multiplexed with the coded stream, and the system stream is It may be generated.

  As a result, the image is encoded by the scalable video encoding method. Then, an identifier is inserted into the descriptor for the scalable video coding method. Therefore, the image coding method according to the present invention can generate an appropriate system stream using a descriptor.

  In addition, the video layer is H.264. H.264 SVC, the descriptor for the scalable video coding scheme is the H.264 SVC. H.264 SVC, in the encoding step, the H.264 SVC. The encoded stream is generated by encoding the image according to H.264 SVC. The system stream may be generated by inserting the identifier into the SVC descriptor for H.264 SVC and multiplexing the SVC descriptor including the identifier and the encoded stream.

  As a result, H.C. The image is encoded with H.264 SVC. And H. An identifier is inserted into the SVC descriptor for H.264 SVC. Therefore, the image coding method according to the present invention can generate an appropriate system stream using the SVC descriptor.

  In the encoding step, when the format of the image is the left / right mixed format, the image for stereoscopic display is encoded, and when the format of the image is not the left / right mixed format, for flat display. The image may be encoded.

  Thereby, the image encoding method according to the present invention can encode an image for stereoscopic display or an image for flat display.

  The image encoding method may further include (i) a first part of a left picture that is a left-view picture in the left-view image area, and a second part of a right picture that is a right-view picture. Is generated as a picture of the base layer, and (ii) a third part that is a part of the left picture and is different from the first part is the left viewpoint. By generating a picture that is included in the image area for the image and that is a part of the right picture and includes a fourth part that is different from the second part in the image area for the right viewpoint as the enhancement layer picture, Generating in the left-right mixed format, and in the encoding step, the image generated in the generation step is encoded when the image in the left-right mixed format is encoded. Image may be encoded to generate the encoded stream.

  As a result, an enhancement layer picture is generated from a portion different from the portion corresponding to the base layer picture. Therefore, stepped accuracy is realized by the base layer picture and the enhancement layer picture.

  The image encoding method may further include (i) a first part of a left picture that is a left-view picture in the left-view image area, and a second part of a right picture that is a right-view picture. Is generated as a picture of the base layer, and (ii) all of the left picture or a third part of the left picture including the first part is A picture that is included in the left-view image area, and that includes all of the right picture or the fourth part including the second part of the right picture in the right-view image area as the picture of the enhancement layer. A generating step of generating the image in the left-right mixed format by generating, wherein in the encoding step, when encoding the image in the left-right mixed format, It may generate the coded streams the image generated by the generating step by encoding.

  As a result, an enhancement layer picture is generated from a part including a part corresponding to the base layer picture. Therefore, stepped accuracy is realized by the base layer picture and the enhancement layer picture.

  In addition, the image decoding method according to the present invention includes a system layer for acquiring the encoded stream from a system stream for transmitting or storing an encoded stream including an image composed of one or more pictures, and the encoded stream. A video layer including a video layer for decoding the image, wherein the system layer includes: (i) a format of the image including a base layer and an enhancement layer for supporting a plurality of precisions; An identifier indicating whether a left-right mixed image format including a left-viewpoint image area and a right-viewpoint image area in one picture; and (ii) separating the encoded stream from the system stream, A separation step of obtaining the encoded stream, wherein the video layer is acquired before the separation step. A decoding step of decoding the image included in the encoded stream, wherein the image decoding method further includes the image decoded in the decoding step in an output mode specified according to the identifier acquired in the separation step. The decoding step includes, when the format of the image is the left / right mixed format, the base layer and the enhancement layer, and the picture area for the left viewpoint is included in the one picture. An image decoding method for decoding the image including the right viewpoint image area may be used.

  Thereby, the image decoding method according to the present invention can switch the output mode of the image according to the identifier indicating whether or not the image is the left / right mixed format. Therefore, the image decoding method according to the present invention can appropriately cope with the 3D video format composed of the base layer and the enhancement layer.

  In addition, the system layer conforms to an MPEG-2 system, the video layer conforms to a multi-view video encoding scheme, and the separation step includes a descriptor for the multi-view video encoding scheme and the encoding A stream is separated from the system stream, the identifier included in the descriptor and the encoded stream are obtained, and in the decoding step, the image encoded according to the multi-view video encoding method is decoded May be.

  Thereby, the image decoding method according to the present invention can decode an image encoded by the multi-view video encoding method. And the image decoding method which concerns on this invention can acquire an identifier from the descriptor about a multiview video coding system. Therefore, the image decoding method according to the present invention can appropriately cope with the left / right mixed format.

  In addition, the video layer is H.264. In accordance with H.264 MVC, the descriptor for the multi-view video encoding method is the H.264 MVC. H.264 MVC, and in the separation step, the H.264 MVC descriptor. H.264 MVC The MVC descriptor and the encoded stream are separated from the system stream to obtain the identifier and the encoded stream included in the MVC descriptor. The image encoded according to H.264 MVC may be decoded.

  As a result, the image decoding method according to the present invention is described in H.264. Images encoded with H.264 MVC can be decoded. An image decoding method according to the present invention is described in H.264. An identifier can be obtained from the MVC descriptor for H.264 MVC. Therefore, the image decoding method according to the present invention can appropriately cope with the left / right mixed format.

  In the decoding step, when the format of the image is the left / right mixed format, the image of the left / right mixed format is decoded, and when the format of the image is not the left / right mixed format, You may decode the said image of the left-right independent format which is a format which contains the picture of a right viewpoint as a mutually different picture.

  As a result, the image decoding method according to the present invention can decode a left-right mixed format image or a left-right independent format image.

  In addition, the system layer conforms to an MPEG-2 system, the video layer conforms to a scalable video encoding scheme, and in the separation step, a descriptor for the scalable video encoding scheme, the encoded stream, Is obtained from the system stream, the identifier included in the descriptor and the encoded stream are acquired, and the decoding step may include decoding the image encoded according to the scalable video encoding method. Good.

  Thereby, the image decoding method according to the present invention can decode an image encoded by the scalable video encoding method. The image decoding method according to the present invention can acquire an identifier from the descriptor for the scalable video coding method. Therefore, the image decoding method according to the present invention can appropriately cope with the left / right mixed format.

  In addition, the video layer is H.264. H.264 SVC, the descriptor for the scalable video coding scheme is the H.264 SVC. H.264 SVC, in the separation step, the H.264 SVC. H.264 SVC The SVC descriptor and the encoded stream are separated from the system stream to obtain the identifier and the encoded stream included in the SVC descriptor. The image encoded according to H.264 SVC may be decoded.

  As a result, the image decoding method according to the present invention is described in H.264. Images encoded with H.264 SVC can be decoded. An image decoding method according to the present invention is described in H.264. An identifier can be obtained from the SVC descriptor for H.264 SVC. Therefore, the image decoding method according to the present invention can appropriately cope with the left / right mixed format.

  In the decoding step, when the format of the image is the left / right mixed format, the image for stereoscopic display is decoded, and when the format of the image is not the left / right mixed format, The image may be decoded.

  Thereby, the image decoding method according to the present invention can decode an image for stereoscopic display or an image for flat display.

  The image decoding method further includes a generation step of generating a left picture that is a left-view picture and a right picture that is a right-view picture when the format of the image is the left-right mixed format. In the generating step, the first portion of the left picture is a picture included in the image decoded in the decoding step, and from the left viewpoint image area of the base layer picture that is a picture of the base layer. A second portion of the right picture is obtained from the right viewpoint image area of the base layer picture, and is a picture included in the image decoded in the decoding step. From the left-viewpoint image area of a certain enhancement layer picture, the left picture part, the first part and A third part different from the right viewpoint image area of the enhancement layer picture is obtained, a fourth part that is a part of the right picture and is different from the second part is obtained, The left picture is generated from the first part and the acquired third part, and the right picture is generated from the acquired second part and the acquired fourth part In the output step, when the format of the image is the left / right mixed format, the left picture generated in the generation step and the right picture generated in the generation step are output as the image. May be.

  As a result, the image decoding method according to the present invention can generate a high-definition left picture and a high-definition right picture by combining the base layer picture and the enhancement layer picture.

  The image decoding method may further include, when the format of the image is the left / right mixed format, a picture included in the image decoded in the decoding step, of the base layer and the enhancement layer. A left picture that is a left-view picture is generated from the left-view image area of the decoded picture that is one picture, and a right-picture that is a right-view picture is generated from the right-view image area of the decoded picture And generating the left picture generated in the generating step and the right picture generated in the generating step when the format of the image is the left / right mixed format. It may be output as an image.

  As a result, the image decoding method according to the present invention can generate a left picture and a right picture from either a base layer picture or an enhancement layer picture. Therefore, the image decoding method according to the present invention can generate an image having any one of a plurality of accuracies.

  An image encoding apparatus according to the present invention includes a video layer unit that encodes an image composed of one or more pictures to generate an encoded stream, and a system stream for transmitting or storing the encoded stream. An image encoding device including a system layer unit to generate, wherein the video layer unit includes an encoding unit that encodes the image to generate the encoded stream, and the system layer unit includes (i) Whether the format of the image is a left / right mixed format including a base layer and an enhancement layer for supporting a plurality of precisions, and including a left-viewpoint image region and a right-viewpoint image region in one picture And (ii) a multiplexing unit that multiplexes the encoded stream generated by the encoding unit and generates the system stream. In the case where the format of the image is the left / right mixed format, the encoding unit includes the base layer and the enhancement layer, and the left-view image region and the right-view image are included in the one picture. An image encoding apparatus that generates the encoded stream by encoding the image including a region may be used.

  Thereby, the image coding method according to the present invention is implemented as an image coding apparatus.

  An image decoding apparatus according to the present invention includes a system layer unit that acquires the encoded stream from a system stream for transmitting or storing an encoded stream including an image including one or more pictures, and the encoding An image decoding apparatus comprising: a video layer unit that decodes the image of the stream, wherein the system layer unit includes: (i) a basic layer and an extension layer for the format of the image corresponding to a plurality of precisions. Including an identifier indicating whether or not a left-right mixed format including a left-viewpoint image region and a right-viewpoint image region in one picture, and (ii) separating the encoded stream from the system stream, A separation unit for obtaining the identifier and the encoded stream, and the video layer unit is obtained by the separation unit. A decoding unit that decodes the image included in the encoded stream, wherein the image decoding apparatus further outputs the image decoded by the decoding unit in an output mode specified according to the identifier acquired by the separation unit When the format of the image is the left / right mixed format, the decoding unit includes the base layer and the enhancement layer, and the one picture includes the left viewpoint image region and An image decoding apparatus that decodes the image including the right viewpoint image area may be used.

  Thereby, the image decoding method according to the present invention is implemented as an image decoding apparatus.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not an image is a left-right mixed format in the system layer. Therefore, the image encoding method and the image decoding method according to the present invention can appropriately cope with the 3D video format composed of the base layer and the enhancement layer.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image encoding device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image decoding apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another example of the image decoding apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of an image reduction method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of an image composition method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the syntax of the MVC descriptor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the syntax of the MVC descriptor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image coding apparatus according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image decoding apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating another example of the image decoding apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the syntax of the SVC descriptor according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a system stream of the MPEG-2 system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an MP4 BOX according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an MP4 file according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a hierarchical structure of a BOX according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of header information according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image encoding device according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the image encoding device according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image decoding apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image decoding apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image encoding device according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the image encoding device according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image decoding apparatus according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the image decoding apparatus according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 25 is an overall configuration diagram of a content supply system that realizes a content distribution service. FIG. 26 is an overall configuration diagram of a digital broadcasting system. FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a television. FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information reproducing / recording unit that reads and writes information from and on a recording medium that is an optical disk. FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a structure example of a recording medium that is an optical disk. FIG. 30A is a diagram illustrating an example of a mobile phone. FIG. 30B is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a mobile phone. FIG. 31 shows a structure of multiplexed data. FIG. 32 is a diagram schematically showing how each stream is multiplexed in the multiplexed data. FIG. 33 is a diagram showing in more detail how the video stream is stored in the PES packet sequence. FIG. 34 is a diagram showing the structure of TS packets and source packets in multiplexed data. FIG. 35 shows the data structure of the PMT. FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of multiplexed data information. FIG. 37 shows the internal structure of stream attribute information. FIG. 38 is a diagram showing steps for identifying video data. FIG. 39 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an integrated circuit that implements the moving picture coding method and the moving picture decoding method according to each embodiment. FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for switching the driving frequency. FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating steps for identifying video data and switching between driving frequencies. FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating an example of a look-up table in which video data standards are associated with driving frequencies. FIG. 43A is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration for sharing a module of a signal processing unit. FIG. 43B is a diagram illustrating another example of a configuration for sharing a module of the signal processing unit.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below shows a preferred specific example of the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions and connection forms of the constituent elements, steps, order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention is limited only by the claims. Therefore, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims indicating the highest concept of the present invention are not necessarily required to achieve the object of the present invention. It will be described as constituting a preferred form.

  In the following description, a picture means an image composed of one field or one frame. A viewpoint means a video that is an image composed of a plurality of pictures. For example, the left viewpoint is an image for the left eye, and the right viewpoint is an image for the right eye. A stereoscopic display is realized by a combination of the left viewpoint and the right viewpoint. In addition, an image may be composed of a plurality of pictures, such as a picture composed of a picture included in the left viewpoint and a picture included in the right viewpoint.

  In the following description, each of the system layer and the video layer means a processing layer (processing group) composed of a plurality of processes. The video layer is also referred to as a video coding layer (VCL). Each of the base layer and the enhancement layer is data.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an image encoding device according to the present embodiment. 1 includes four horizontal ½ reduction units 111 to 114, two integration units 121 and 122, four frame buffers 131 to 134, two switches 151 and 152, and an input signal. A control unit 160, an MVC encoder 170, and a system encoder 180 are provided. The MVC encoder 170 has two encoders 171 and 172.

  The image coding apparatus 100 receives a 3D image in a left-right viewpoint image independent 3D format (also referred to as a left-right independent format) as an input. The left-right viewpoint image independent 3D format is a format including a left-view picture and a right-view picture as different pictures.

  Then, the four horizontal ½ reduction units 111 to 114 and the two integration units 121 and 122 of the image encoding device 100 convert the left and right viewpoint image independent 3D format 3D image into the left and right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format (also referred to as the left and right mixed format). Called 3D image. The left-right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format is a format that includes a base layer and an enhancement layer for supporting a plurality of precisions, and includes a left-viewpoint image area and a right-viewpoint image area in one picture.

  More specifically, the horizontal ½ reduction unit 111 reduces the left picture, which is the left viewpoint picture, to ½ in the horizontal direction. The horizontal ½ reduction unit 112 reduces the right picture, which is a right viewpoint picture, to ½ in the horizontal direction. Then, the integration unit 121 integrates the left picture reduced by the horizontal ½ reduction unit 111 and the right picture reduced by the horizontal ½ reduction unit 112, so that the left viewpoint image area and the right viewpoint are integrated. A picture including the image area for use is generated.

  Further, the horizontal ½ reduction unit 113 reduces the left picture to ½ in the horizontal direction. The horizontal ½ reduction unit 114 reduces the right picture to ½ in the horizontal direction. Then, the integration unit 122 integrates the left picture reduced by the horizontal ½ reduction unit 113 and the right picture reduced by the horizontal ½ reduction unit 114, so that the left viewpoint image area and the right viewpoint are integrated. A picture including the image area for use is generated.

  As a result, the 3D image in the left and right viewpoint image independent 3D format is converted into the 3D image in the left and right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format. The picture generated by the integration unit 121 is stored in the frame buffer 131, and the picture generated by the integration unit 122 is stored in the frame buffer 132.

  Then, the encoder 171 of the MVC encoder 170 encodes the picture stored in the frame buffer 131 as a base layer picture and a base view picture. Also, the encoder 172 of the MVC encoder 170 encodes the picture stored in the frame buffer 132 as an enhancement layer picture and a non-base view picture. Thereby, the MVC encoder 170 converts the 3D image into two encoded bit streams of the base layer and the enhancement layer.

  Alternatively, the image encoding apparatus 100 inputs the 3D image to the MVC encoder 170 without converting the 3D image into the left / right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format, but in the left / right viewpoint image independent 3D format.

  That is, the left viewpoint picture is stored as it is in the frame buffer 133, and the right viewpoint picture is stored as it is in the frame buffer 134. Then, the encoder 171 of the MVC encoder 170 encodes the picture stored in the frame buffer 133 as a base view. In addition, the encoder 172 of the MVC encoder 170 encodes the picture stored in the frame buffer 134 as a non-base view.

  Thereby, the MVC encoder 170 converts the 3D image into two encoded bit streams of the left viewpoint and the right viewpoint.

  The input signal control unit 160 switches the picture input to the MVC encoder 170 by switching the two switches 151 and 152 according to a user instruction.

  For example, when the user instructs the image encoding apparatus 100 to encode an image in the left-right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format, the pictures stored in the two frame buffers 131 and 132 are input to the MVC encoder 170. . When the user instructs the image encoding apparatus 100 to encode an image in the left and right viewpoint image independent 3D format, each picture stored in the two frame buffers 133 and 134 is input to the MVC encoder 170.

  The system encoder 180 performs system encoding on the two encoded bit streams obtained by the MVC encoder 170 and the 3D format type. Then, the system encoder 180 outputs a system stream including two encoded bit streams and a 3D format type. The 3D format type indicates whether the 3D image format is a left-right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format or a left-right viewpoint image independent 3D format.

  In the present embodiment, the input signal control unit 160 switches the format of the 3D image based on a user instruction. However, the format of the 3D image to be encoded may be fixed to either the left / right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format or the left / right viewpoint image independent 3D format.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image decoding apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image decoding apparatus 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a system decoder 210, an MVC decoder 220, two frame buffers 231, 232, an output unit 260, and a display unit 290. The MVC decoder 220 includes two decoders 221 and 222. The output unit 260 includes four switches 261 to 264, an output control unit 265, an image composition unit 266, a pixel rearrangement unit 267, and two frame buffers 271 and 272.

  The system decoder 210 separates the 3D format type and the two encoded bit streams from the system stream by performing system decoding on the system stream.

  For example, the system decoder 210 separates the 3D format type and the two encoded bitstreams of the base layer and the enhancement layer from the system stream. Then, the decoder 221 of the MVC decoder 220 decodes a picture included in the base layer, and stores the decoded picture in the frame buffer 231. The decoder 222 of the MVC decoder 220 decodes a picture included in the enhancement layer and stores the decoded picture in the frame buffer 232.

  Alternatively, the system decoder 210 separates the 3D format type and the two encoded bit streams of the left view and the right view from the system stream. Then, the decoder 221 of the MVC decoder 220 decodes the picture included in the left viewpoint, and stores the decoded picture in the frame buffer 231. The decoder 222 of the MVC decoder 220 decodes the picture included in the right viewpoint and stores the decoded picture in the frame buffer 232.

  The output control unit 265 of the output unit 260 controls the output mode by switching the three switches 261 to 263 according to the 3D format type.

  Specifically, when the 3D format type is the left-right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format, the image synthesis unit 266 synthesizes the base layer picture and the enhancement layer picture to generate a high-resolution SBS image. In the SBS image, a left viewpoint area is arranged on the left side, and a right viewpoint area is arranged on the right side. The image composition unit 266 stores the generated SBS image in the frame buffer 271.

  Then, the pixel rearrangement unit 267 performs rearrangement on the SBS image stored in the frame buffer 271. That is, the pixel rearrangement unit 267 separates the left viewpoint image and the right viewpoint image from the SBS image, and alternately arranges the left viewpoint image and the right viewpoint image as left and right frames.

  When the 3D format type is the left-right viewpoint image independent 3D format, the left and right frames are alternately arranged by the switch 264.

  As described above, the output unit 260 outputs the image decoded by the MVC decoder 220 in an output mode specified by the 3D format type. The output unit 260 may store the image in the frame buffer 272 in order to output the image at an appropriate timing. Display unit 290 displays the image output by output unit 260.

  In the present embodiment, the 3D format type is notified from the encoding side to the decoding side in the system layer. Thereby, the image decoding apparatus 200 can recognize the difference in the output mode due to the difference in the 3D format before decoding in the video layer. The image decoding apparatus 200 can execute the reservation and initialization of resources of the output unit 260 such as, for example, securing a memory area for holding a high-resolution SBS image in advance. Thereby, the delay at the time of image display is reduced.

  Further, it is not necessary to notify the output unit 260 of the 3D format type from the MVC decoder 220 which is a video decoder. Therefore, the configuration of the image decoding device 200 is simplified.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another example of the image decoding apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image decoding apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 3 includes a system decoder 310, an AVC decoder 320, a frame buffer 331, and a display unit 390. The image decoding device 300 is an AVC compatible playback device.

  The image decoding apparatus 300 cannot decode a view (non-base view) other than the base view with respect to the system stream generated by the image encoding apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Therefore, the enhancement layer or the right viewpoint is not decoded. Therefore, the decoder 321 of the AVC decoder 320 decodes only the base layer or the left viewpoint. Then, the display unit 390 displays only the base layer or the left viewpoint.

  As described above, the system stream generated by the image coding apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has backward compatibility with the AVC-compatible playback apparatus.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of an image reduction method according to the present embodiment. The image encoding apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 reduces the input image and generates an SBS image. FIG. 4 shows an image reduction method executed at this time.

  For example, the horizontal 1/2 reduction unit 411 in FIG. 4 corresponds to the horizontal 1/2 reduction unit 111 in FIG. 1, and the horizontal 1/2 reduction unit 413 in FIG. 4 corresponds to the horizontal 1/2 reduction unit 113 in FIG. Corresponding to 4 corresponds to the horizontal 1/2 reduction unit 112 in FIG. 1, and the horizontal 1/2 reduction unit 413 in FIG. 4 corresponds to the horizontal 1/2 reduction unit 114 in FIG. It may correspond to.

  The image encoding device 100 divides each viewpoint picture into odd columns and even columns. That is, the horizontal ½ reduction unit 411 samples only the pixels in the odd-numbered columns of the picture. The horizontal ½ reduction unit 413 samples only the pixels in the even-numbered columns of the picture. Thereby, an odd-numbered row image and an even-numbered row image are obtained.

  The image coding apparatus 100 generates an SBS image by integrating an odd-numbered sequence image obtained from one viewpoint and an odd-numbered sequence image obtained from the other viewpoint, and uses the generated SBS image as a base layer. Encode. In addition, the image encoding apparatus 100 generates an SBS image by integrating an even-numbered image obtained from one viewpoint and an even-numbered image obtained from the other viewpoint, and expands the generated SBS image. Encode as a layer.

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an image composition method according to the present embodiment. The image composition unit 566 shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to the image composition unit 266 shown in FIG.

  The image decoding apparatus 200 decodes the base layer and acquires a decoded picture of the base layer. Then, the image decoding apparatus 200 acquires the left-view odd-numbered sequence image from the left-view image area of the decoded picture of the base layer. Further, the image decoding apparatus 200 decodes the enhancement layer and obtains a decoded picture of the enhancement layer. The image decoding apparatus 200 acquires an even-numbered image at the left viewpoint from the image area for the left viewpoint of the decoded picture of the enhancement layer.

  The image synthesizing unit 566 alternately synthesizes the odd-numbered column image and the even-numbered column image for each pixel column. As a result, the image decoding apparatus 200 generates a picture of the original resolution of the left viewpoint.

  In the above description, the image decoding apparatus 200 generates a left viewpoint picture, but can also generate a right viewpoint picture in the same manner. That is, the image decoding apparatus 200 acquires the right-view odd-numbered image and the right-view even-numbered image from the right-view image area of the base layer and the right-view image area of the enhancement layer. Then, the image synthesis unit 566 alternately synthesizes the odd-numbered row image and the even-numbered row image for each pixel row. As a result, the image decoding apparatus 200 generates a picture with the original resolution of the right viewpoint.

  An AVC-compatible playback device capable of decoding only the base layer can decode a low-resolution 3D image by decoding only odd-numbered sequence images. Therefore, backward compatibility is maintained. In addition, an MVC-compatible playback device that can decode both the base layer and the enhancement layer can decode odd-numbered column images and even-numbered column images. Therefore, the MVC-compatible playback device can reconstruct a high-resolution 3D image.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which SBS is used as the left-right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format is shown. However, a top and bottom (TAB) or the like may be used as the left-right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format. Depending on the difference in the arrangement of the left-viewpoint image area and the right-viewpoint image area, the enlargement or reduction direction (horizontal or vertical, etc.) and the pixel sampling method (interlaced scanning of rows and columns, or grid thinning) Etc.) can be selected appropriately to achieve reduction and composition.

  In addition, the image encoding device 100 and the image decoding device 200 may perform noise reduction processing such as a low-pass filter after reconstructing a high-resolution 3D image. Thereby, further high image quality can be achieved.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the MVC descriptor according to the present embodiment. The descriptor is data used in the MPEG-2 system or the like. The descriptor includes attribute information of the encoded bit stream such as a frame rate. The system stream according to the present embodiment includes an MVC descriptor.

  The MVC descriptor is a kind of descriptor, and is a descriptor for the multi-view video encoding method. That is, the MVC descriptor includes attribute information of an encoded bit stream obtained by encoding an image using the multi-view video encoding method. The MVC descriptor is also called an MVC extension descriptor (MVC extension descriptor).

  The syntax of the MVC descriptor is the non-patent document 2 (ISO / IEC 13818-1: 2007 / Amd 4: 2009), or the non-patent document 3 (Recommendation H.222.0 (2006), Amendment 4 (12/09) “Transport of multiview video over ITU-T Rec. H.222.0 | ISO / IEC 13818-1”).

  In FIG. 6, frame_packing_info_present_flag is added as a 3D format type to the syntax described in these documents. In addition, in order to make the size of the MVC descriptor an integral multiple of the byte length, 7 reserved bits are added.

  For example, when frame_packing_info_present_flag is 1, the image format is a left-right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format. When frame_packing_info_present_flag is 0, the format of the image is the left-right viewpoint image independent 3D format (normal MVC stream).

  Note that frame_packing_info_present_flag is shown as an example of the 3D format type, but the name of the syntax, the value range (0/1), and the meaning of the value are not limited to this example. Other representation formats may be used as long as it is possible to notify that the left-right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format is used.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which a 3D format type is inserted at the end of the MVC descriptor is shown. However, the insertion position is not limited to this. The 3D format type may be inserted into another bit position of the MVC descriptor or a descriptor other than the MVC descriptor.

  FIG. 7 shows another example of the MVC descriptor according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 7, 4-bit reserved bits (reserved) included in the syntax described in the above document are replaced with 1-bit frame_packing_info_present_flag and 3-bit reserved bits. Thereby, the total number of bits of the MVC descriptor is maintained, and the frame_packing_info_present_flag is incorporated into the MVC descriptor.

  As described above, the image encoding device 100 notifies the image decoding device 200 on the system layer whether or not the image format is the left-right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format. Thereby, the image decoding apparatus 200 can switch the output mode smoothly. Therefore, the image encoding device 100 and the image decoding device 200 can appropriately cope with the 3D video format composed of the base layer and the enhancement layer.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of an image encoding device according to the present embodiment. 8 includes two horizontal ½ reduction units 811 and 812, a horizontal and vertical reduction unit 815, two integration units 821 and 822, four frame buffers 831 to 834, and two switches. 851, 852, an input signal control unit 860, an SVC encoder 870, and a system encoder 880. The SVC encoder 870 includes two encoders 871 and 872.

  The image coding apparatus 800 receives a 3D image or a 2D image in the left-right viewpoint image independent 3D format as an input.

  When encoding a 3D image, the image encoding device 800 converts a 3D image in the left-right viewpoint image independent 3D format into a 3D image in the left-right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format. Thereafter, the image encoding apparatus 800 further converts the 3D image in the left-right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format into two pictures corresponding to the two resolutions.

  For example, the horizontal ½ reduction unit 811 reduces the picture of the left viewpoint to ½ in the horizontal direction. The horizontal ½ reduction unit 812 reduces the right viewpoint picture by ½ in the horizontal direction. The integration unit 821 integrates the picture reduced by the horizontal ½ reduction unit 811 and the picture reduced by the horizontal ½ reduction unit 812. Thereby, an SBS image is generated as a picture of a low resolution layer (base layer). The integration unit 821 stores the low resolution layer picture in the frame buffer 831.

  The two horizontal 1/2 reduction units 811 and 812 and the integration unit 821 execute the same processing as the two horizontal 1/2 reduction units 111 and 112 and the integration unit 121 according to the first embodiment. Also good. Alternatively, the two horizontal 1/2 reduction units 811 and 812 and the integration unit 821 execute the same processing as the two horizontal 1/2 reduction units 113 and 114 and the integration unit 122 according to the first embodiment. May be.

  The integration unit 822 integrates the left-view picture and the right-view picture as they are without reducing them. Thereby, an SBS image is generated as a picture of a high resolution layer (enhancement layer). The integration unit 822 stores the high resolution layer picture in the frame buffer 832.

  The image encoding device 800 converts the 3D image in the left-right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format into two pictures corresponding to two resolutions in the above-described procedure.

  In addition, when encoding a 2D image, the image encoding device 800 converts the 2D image into two pictures corresponding to two resolutions.

  For example, the horizontal / vertical reduction unit 815 reduces the 2D image in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. Thereby, a picture of a low resolution layer is generated. The frame buffer 833 stores a picture of a low resolution layer. The frame buffer 834 stores the 2D image as it is as a picture of the high resolution layer.

  The image encoding device 800 converts the 2D image into two pictures corresponding to two resolutions by the above-described procedure.

  The SVC encoder 870 converts the two pictures of the low resolution layer and the high resolution layer into two encoded bit streams of the low resolution layer and the high resolution layer.

  For example, the encoder 871 of the SVC encoder 870 encodes the picture stored in the frame buffer 831. Then, the encoder 872 of the SVC encoder 870 encodes the picture stored in the frame buffer 832.

  Alternatively, the encoder 871 of the SVC encoder 870 encodes the picture stored in the frame buffer 833. In addition, the encoder 872 of the SVC encoder 870 encodes the picture stored in the frame buffer 834.

  Thus, the SVC encoder 870 converts the two pictures of the low resolution layer and the high resolution layer into two encoded bit streams of the low resolution layer and the high resolution layer.

  The input signal control unit 860 switches the picture input to the SVC encoder 870 by switching the two switches 851 and 852 according to a user instruction.

  For example, when the user instructs the image encoding device 800 to encode a 3D image, the pictures stored in the two frame buffers 831 and 832 are input to the SVC encoder 870. When the user instructs the image encoding apparatus 800 to encode a 2D image, the pictures stored in the two frame buffers 833 and 834 are input to the SVC encoder 870.

  The system encoder 880 performs system encoding on the two encoded bit streams and the 3D notification signal, and outputs a system stream. The 3D notification signal indicates whether the image format is the left-right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format or the 2D format.

  In the present embodiment, the input signal control unit 860 switches the image format based on a user instruction. However, the format of the image to be encoded may be fixed to either the left-right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format or the 2D format.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image decoding apparatus according to the present embodiment. 9 includes a system decoder 910, an SVC decoder 920, a frame buffer 931, an output unit 960, and a display unit 990. The SVC decoder 920 includes two decoders 921 and 922. The output unit 960 includes two switches 961 and 963, an output control unit 965, a pixel rearrangement unit 967, and two frame buffers 971 and 972.

  The system decoder 910 performs system decoding on the system stream to separate the 3D notification signal and the two encoded bit streams of the low resolution layer and the high resolution layer from the system stream. The decoder 921 of the SVC decoder 920 decodes a picture included in the low resolution layer, and the decoder 922 of the SVC decoder 920 decodes a picture included in the high resolution layer. At this time, the decoder 922 may decode the picture of the high resolution layer using the picture of the low resolution layer.

  The decoder 922 stores the decoded picture in the frame buffer 931. That is, the picture of the high resolution layer is stored in the frame buffer 931.

  The output control unit 965 of the output unit 960 controls the output mode by switching the two switches 961 and 963 according to the 3D notification signal.

  Specifically, when the 3D notification signal indicates the left-right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format, the pixel rearrangement unit 967 performs rearrangement. For example, the pixel rearrangement unit 967 separates the left viewpoint image and the right viewpoint image from the SBS image of the high resolution layer, and alternately arranges the left viewpoint image and the right viewpoint image as left and right frames. The output unit 960 outputs an image obtained by rearrangement.

  When the 3D notification signal is in 2D format, the output unit 960 outputs the 2D image of the high resolution layer as it is.

  The output unit 960 outputs the image decoded by the SVC decoder 920 in the output manner specified by the 3D notification signal in the above-described procedure. The output unit 960 may store the image in one of the two frame buffers 971 and 972 in order to output the image at an appropriate timing. The 3D image has a left-view picture and a right-view picture. That is, the 3D image has twice as many pictures as the 2D image. Therefore, the output unit 960 executes output processing at high speed in the case of a 3D image. The display unit 990 displays the image output from the output unit 960.

  In the present embodiment, a 3D notification signal is notified from the encoding side to the decoding side in the system layer. Thereby, before decoding in the video layer, the image decoding apparatus 900 can recognize a difference in output mode due to a difference in image format. The image decoding apparatus 900 can execute securing of resources of the output unit 960 and initialization, for example, securing a memory for holding a high-resolution SBS image or a high-resolution 2D image in advance. .

  Further, it is not necessary to notify the output unit 960 of the 3D notification signal from the SVC decoder 920 that is a video decoder. Therefore, the configuration of the image decoding device 900 is simplified.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing another example of the image decoding apparatus according to the present embodiment. An image decoding apparatus 1000 shown in FIG. 10 includes a system decoder 1010, an AVC decoder 1020, a frame buffer 1031 and a display unit 1090. The image decoding device 1000 is an AVC compatible playback device.

  The image decoding apparatus 1000 cannot decode layers other than the low resolution layer in the system stream generated by the image encoding apparatus 800 according to the present embodiment. Therefore, the high resolution layer is not decoded. Therefore, the decoder 1021 of the AVC decoder 1020 decodes only the low resolution layer. The display unit 1090 displays only the low resolution layer. As described above, the system stream generated by the image coding apparatus 800 according to the present embodiment has backward compatibility with the AVC-compatible playback apparatus.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which SBS is used as the left-right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format is shown. However, a top and bottom (TAB) or the like may be used as the left-right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format. Enlarging or reducing direction (horizontal or vertical, etc.) and pixel sampling method (interlaced scanning of rows and columns, or grid thinning, etc.) depending on the arrangement of the left-viewpoint image area and right-viewpoint image area ) Is appropriately selected, reduction and synthesis are performed.

  The image encoding device 800 and the image decoding device 900 may perform noise reduction processing such as a low-pass filter after reconstructing a high-resolution 3D image. Thereby, further high image quality can be achieved.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of the SVC descriptor according to the present embodiment. The descriptor is data used in the MPEG-2 system or the like. The descriptor includes attribute information of the encoded bit stream such as a frame rate. The system stream according to the present embodiment includes an SVC descriptor.

  The SVC descriptor is a kind of descriptor, and is a descriptor for a scalable video coding system. That is, the SVC descriptor includes attribute information of an encoded bitstream obtained by encoding an image using a scalable video encoding method. The SVC descriptor is also called an SVC extension descriptor (SVC extension descriptor).

  The syntax of the SVC descriptor is the non-patent document 4 (ISO / IEC 13818-1: 2007 / Amd 3: 2009), or the non-patent document 5 (Recommendation H.222.0 (2006), Amendment 3 (03/09) “Transport of scalable video over ITU-T Rec. H.222.0 | ISO / IEC 13818-1”).

  In FIG. 11, frame_packing_info_present_flag is inserted as a 3D notification signal in place of the reserved bits (reserved) in the syntax described in these documents.

  For example, when frame_packing_info_present_flag is 1, the image format is a left-right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format. When frame_packing_info_present_flag is 0, the format of the image is a 2D format (normal SVC stream).

  Although frame_packing_info_present_flag is shown as an example of the 3D notification signal, the name of the syntax, the value range (0/1), and the meaning of the value are not limited to this example. Other representation formats may be used as long as it is possible to notify that the left-right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format is used.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which a 3D notification signal is inserted at the end of the SVC descriptor is shown. However, the insertion position is not limited to this. The 3D notification signal may be inserted into another bit position of the SVC descriptor or a descriptor other than the SVC descriptor.

  For example, the SVC descriptor includes a 5-bit reserved bit as the ninth item in addition to the last 1-bit reserved bit. This 5-bit reserved bit may be replaced with 1-bit frame_packing_info_present_flag and 4-bit reserved bit.

  As described above, the image encoding device 800 notifies the image decoding device 900 on the system layer whether or not the image format is the left-right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format. Thereby, the image decoding apparatus 900 can switch an output mode smoothly. Therefore, the image encoding device 800 and the image decoding device 900 can appropriately cope with the 3D video format composed of the base layer and the enhancement layer.

(Embodiment 3)
The present embodiment shows a system layer conforming to the MPEG-2 system, which can be applied to the image encoding device and the image decoding device shown in the first and second embodiments.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a system stream of the MPEG-2 system according to the present embodiment. The system stream shown in FIG. 12 is composed of TS (Transport Stream) packets. The system encoder 180 shown in the first embodiment and the system encoder 880 shown in the second embodiment may generate a system stream composed of the TS packets shown in FIG. The configuration of the system stream is specifically shown below.

  The MVC encoder 170 shown in the first embodiment and the SVC encoder 870 shown in the second embodiment generate video encoded data (video encoded data) in the video layer. The encoded video data generated in the video layer is stored in a PES (Packetized Elementary Stream) packet.

  Video encoded data corresponding to one picture may be stored in one PES packet, and video encoded data corresponding to one picture may be stored in a plurality of PES packets. Also, encoded video data corresponding to a plurality of pictures may be stored in one PES packet. Further, speech encoded data (audio encoded data) may be stored in the PES packet. The PES packet is divided into a plurality of fixed-length TS packets and stored.

  On the other hand, the descriptor is stored in the section. A section is one of data structures used in the MPEG-2 system. Similarly to the PES packet, the section is also divided and stored in a plurality of fixed-length TS packets.

  Then, the TS packet corresponding to the PES packet and the TS packet corresponding to the section are multiplexed as a system stream. Specifically, TS packets corresponding to sections are periodically inserted into TS packets corresponding to PES packets. Note that the periodically inserted interval is not limited to a fixed interval.

  In addition, a plurality of descriptors may be stored in the system stream. These descriptors are of two types: descriptors indicating audio and video attributes and descriptors indicating program attributes including audio and video. The MVC descriptor and the SVC descriptor correspond to descriptors indicating audio and video attributes. The format information shown in the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be stored in a descriptor indicating a program attribute.

  The system layers of the first embodiment and the second embodiment may conform to the MPEG-2 system. That is, the system stream generated in the system layer may be composed of a descriptor and an encoded stream.

(Embodiment 4)
The present embodiment shows an MP4 compliant system layer that can be applied to the image coding apparatus and the image decoding apparatus shown in the first and second embodiments.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an MP4 BOX according to the present embodiment. The MP4 file is composed of a BOX. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the BOX is composed of a size, a type, and data. The size indicates the size of the entire BOX. The type is a BOX identifier and is expressed by four alphabetic characters. The BOX may further include version information and flag information. The MP4 file stores BOX hierarchically.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an MP4 file according to the present embodiment. In the example of FIG. 14, the MP4 file is composed of a BOX whose type is ftyp, a BOX whose type is moov, and a BOX whose type is mdat (hereinafter simply referred to as ftyp, moov and mdat, respectively). ). “ftyp”, “moov”, and “mdat” are the highest-order BOX in the hierarchical configuration of a plurality of BOXes in the MP4 file.

  In addition to the frame playback time and address information in the MP4 file, the moov also stores video or audio attribute information in the MP4 file. That is, the moov stores header information necessary for reproduction of AV encoded data (audio encoded data and video encoded data). In mdat, AV encoded data is stored.

  The system encoder 180 shown in the first embodiment and the system encoder 880 shown in the second embodiment may generate such an MP4 file. Information about the format shown in the first and second embodiments may be stored in the moov as an attribute of video encoded data. More specifically, information about the format may be stored in a BOX included in the moov.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a hierarchical structure of a BOX according to the present embodiment. FIG. 15 shows moov. Further, a plurality of BOXes are stored in the data area in the moov. Thus, in the MP4 file, a plurality of BOXes are hierarchically configured. Thereby, various information is stored in the MP4 file.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of header information according to the present embodiment. FIG. 16 shows a plurality of BOX included in the moov. For example, moov includes a BOX (hereinafter simply referred to as tkhd) whose type is tkhd (Track Header Box), and a BOX (hereinafter simply referred to as vmhd) whose type is vmhd (Video Media Header Box). It is.

  In tkhd, the highest-order header information corresponding to the track is stored. A track corresponds to one video or audio AV encoded data. vmhd stores header information of video encoded data when the track is video encoded data.

  The format information shown in the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be stored in a reserved area (reserved area) of tkhd or vmhd. Alternatively, the format information may be stored in graphicsmode that is a field included in vmhd. In graphics mode, a list of values indicating the structure of a video is defined. A value indicating the left-right viewpoint pixel mixed 3D format may be added to the defined list.

  In the MP4 file, a new BOX can be added. Therefore, a new BOX for storing the format information shown in the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be added to the MP4 file.

  The system layers of the first embodiment and the second embodiment may conform to MP4. That is, the system stream generated in the system layer may be configured by a BOX that includes format information and a BOX that includes an encoded stream. In this case, the image encoding device and the image decoding device shown in the first and second embodiments may not use the MVC descriptor and the SVC descriptor.

(Embodiment 5)
The image encoding device and the image decoding device according to the present embodiment include the main components of the image encoding device and the image decoding device described in the above embodiments.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an example of an image encoding device according to the present embodiment. An image encoding device 1700 shown in FIG. 17 includes a video layer unit 1710 and a system layer unit 1720. The video layer unit 1710 encodes an image including one or more pictures to generate an encoded stream. The system layer unit 1720 generates a system stream for transmitting or storing the encoded stream.

  In addition, the video layer unit 1710 includes an encoding unit 1701. The system layer unit 1720 includes a multiplexing unit 1702.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image encoding device 1700 shown in FIG.

  First, the encoding unit 1701 generates an encoded stream by encoding an image (S1801). When the image format is a left / right mixed format, the encoding unit 1701 includes a base layer and an enhancement layer, and encodes an image including a left-viewpoint image region and a right-viewpoint image region in one picture. Turn into.

  Next, the multiplexing unit 1702 multiplexes the identifier and the encoded stream to generate a system stream (S1802). Here, the identifier indicates whether or not the format of the image is a left / right mixed format. The left / right mixed format includes a base layer and an enhancement layer for supporting a plurality of precisions, and includes a left viewpoint image area and a right viewpoint image area in one picture. The encoded stream is an encoded stream generated by the encoding unit 1701.

  As a result, the image encoding device 1700 can generate a system stream that allows the decoding-side system layer to determine whether or not an image has a left-right mixed format. Therefore, the image encoding device 1700 can appropriately cope with the 3D video format composed of the base layer and the enhancement layer.

  Note that the video layer unit 1710 and the encoding unit 1701 correspond to the MVC encoder 170 according to the first embodiment and the two encoders 171, 172, the SVC encoder 870 according to the second embodiment, and the two encoders This corresponds to 871 and 872.

  Therefore, the video layer unit 1710 and the encoding unit 1701 may execute the same processing as the MVC encoder 170 and the two encoders 171 and 172 according to the first embodiment. Further, the video layer unit 1710 and the encoding unit 1701 may execute the same processing as the SVC encoder 870 and the two encoders 871 and 872 according to the second embodiment.

  The system layer unit 1720 and the multiplexing unit 1702 correspond to the system encoder 180 according to the first embodiment and the system encoder 880 according to the second embodiment. Therefore, system layer section 1720 and multiplexing section 1702 may execute the same processing as system encoder 180 according to Embodiment 1 and system encoder 880 according to Embodiment 2.

  Further, the system layer unit 1720 (system layer) may conform to the MPEG-2 system. That is, the multiplexing unit 1702 of the system layer unit 1720 may generate a system stream including a descriptor and an encoded stream.

  Further, the video layer unit 1710 (video layer) may conform to the multi-view video encoding method. That is, the encoding unit 1701 of the video layer unit 1710 may generate an encoded stream by encoding an image according to the multi-view video encoding method. More specifically, the encoding unit 1701 may encode the base layer as a base view and the enhancement layer as a non-base view. The encoding unit 1701 may refer to the base layer as the base view when encoding the enhancement layer as the non-base view.

  When the system layer unit 1720 is compliant with the MPEG-2 system and the video layer unit 1710 is compliant with the multi-view video coding method, the multiplexing unit 1702 is a descriptor for the multi-view video coding method. An identifier may be inserted into. Then, the multiplexing unit 1702 may multiplex the descriptor including the identifier and the encoded stream to generate a system stream.

  Thereby, an image is encoded by the multi-view video encoding method. Then, an identifier is inserted into the descriptor for the multi-view video encoding method. Therefore, the image encoding device 1700 can generate an appropriate system stream using the descriptor.

  The video layer unit 1710 (video layer) is an H.264 standard that is a multi-view video encoding method. It may conform to H.264 MVC. That is, the encoding unit 1701 of the video layer unit 1710 is an H.264 filer. An encoded stream may be generated by encoding an image according to H.264 MVC.

  The system layer unit 1720 is compliant with the MPEG-2 system, and the video layer unit 1710 is H.264. In the case of complying with H.264 MVC, the multiplexing unit 1702 may An identifier may be inserted into the MVC descriptor for H.264 MVC. Then, the multiplexing unit 1702 may generate a system stream by multiplexing the MVC descriptor including the identifier and the encoded stream.

  As a result, H.C. The image is encoded with H.264 MVC. And H. An identifier is inserted into the MVC descriptor for H.264 MVC. Therefore, the image encoding device 1700 can generate an appropriate system stream using the MVC descriptor.

  H. H.264 MVC is a typical example of a multi-view video encoding method, but the video layer unit 1710 (video layer) may be compliant with other standards. For example, the video layer unit 1710 is an H.264 file. H.264 MVC's successor standard may be followed. H. The multi-view video encoding method may be defined by High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), which is a successor to H.264. The video layer unit 1710 may be compliant with the HEVC multi-view video encoding method.

  The encoding unit 1701 may encode an image in the left / right mixed format when the image format is the left / right mixed format, and may encode an image in the left / right independent format when the image format is not the left / right mixed format. The left / right mixed format is a format including a left-view picture and a right-view picture as different pictures.

  Accordingly, the image encoding device 1700 can encode an image in the left / right mixed format or an image in the left / right independent format.

  Further, the video layer unit 1710 (video layer) may conform to a scalable video coding system. That is, the encoding unit 1701 of the video layer unit 1710 may generate an encoded stream by encoding an image according to a scalable video encoding method. More specifically, the encoding unit 1701 may encode an image composed of a base layer and an enhancement layer.

  When the system layer unit 1720 conforms to the MPEG-2 system and the video layer unit 1710 conforms to the scalable video encoding scheme, the multiplexing unit 1702 identifies the identifier for the scalable video encoding scheme as an identifier. May be inserted. Then, the multiplexing unit 1702 may multiplex the descriptor including the identifier and the encoded stream to generate a system stream.

  As a result, the image is encoded by the scalable video encoding method. Then, an identifier is inserted into the descriptor for the scalable video coding method. Therefore, the image encoding device 1700 can generate an appropriate system stream using the descriptor.

  The video layer unit 1710 (video layer) is an H.264 standard that is a scalable video coding system. H.264 SVC. That is, the encoding unit 1701 of the video layer unit 1710 is an H.264 filer. An encoded stream may be generated by encoding an image according to H.264 SVC.

  The system layer unit 1720 is compliant with the MPEG-2 system, and the video layer unit 1710 is H.264. In the case of conforming to H.264 SVC, the multiplexing unit 1702 may An identifier may be inserted into the SVC descriptor for H.264 SVC. Then, the multiplexing unit 1702 may multiplex the SVC descriptor including the identifier and the encoded stream to generate a system stream.

  As a result, H.C. The image is encoded with H.264 SVC. And H. An identifier is inserted into the SVC descriptor for H.264 SVC. Therefore, the image encoding device 1700 can generate an appropriate system stream using the SVC descriptor.

  H. H.264 SVC is a typical example of a scalable video coding system, but the video layer unit 1710 (video layer) may conform to other standards. For example, the video layer unit 1710 is an H.264 file. H.264 SVC's successor standard may be followed. H. There is a possibility that a scalable video encoding method may be defined in HEVC, which is a successor to H.264. The video layer unit 1710 may conform to the HEVC scalable video coding scheme.

  Also, the encoding unit 1701 encodes an image for stereoscopic display when the image format is a left / right mixed format, and encodes an image for flat display when the image format is not a left / right mixed format. Good.

  Thereby, the image encoding method according to the present invention can encode an image for stereoscopic display or an image for flat display.

  In addition, an image input to the image encoding device 1700, such as an image in a left / right mixed format, may be generated by a separate independent image generation device. In other words, the image encoding device 1700 may not have such an image generation function.

  FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an example of an image decoding apparatus according to the present embodiment. An image decoding apparatus 1900 illustrated in FIG. 19 includes a system layer unit 1910, a video layer unit 1920, and an output unit 1903.

  The system layer unit 1910 acquires an encoded stream from a system stream for transmitting or storing the encoded stream. The encoded stream includes an image composed of one or more pictures. The video layer unit 1920 decodes the image of the encoded stream.

  Further, the system layer unit 1910 includes a separation unit 1901. The video layer unit 1920 includes a decoding unit 1902.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image decoding apparatus 1900 shown in FIG.

  First, the separation unit 1901 separates the identifier and the encoded stream from the system stream, and acquires the identifier and the encoded stream (S2001). The identifier indicates whether or not the image format is a left / right mixed format. The left / right mixed format includes a base layer and an enhancement layer for supporting a plurality of precisions, and includes a left viewpoint image area and a right viewpoint image area in one picture.

  Next, the decoding unit 1902 decodes an image included in the encoded stream acquired by the separation unit 1901 (S2002). Here, when the image format is a left / right mixed format, the decoding unit 1902 decodes an image including a base layer and an enhancement layer and including a left viewpoint image area and a right viewpoint image area in one picture. .

  Next, the output unit 1903 outputs the image decoded by the decoding unit 1902 in the output mode specified according to the identifier acquired by the separation unit 1901 (S2003). The output mode is not limited to the format mode of the output image, but includes a method and a processing mode for forming the output image.

  Thereby, the image decoding apparatus 1900 can switch the output mode of the image according to the identifier indicating whether or not the image is in the left / right mixed format. Therefore, the image decoding apparatus 1900 can appropriately cope with the 3D video format composed of the base layer and the enhancement layer.

  The system layer unit 1910 and the separation unit 1901 correspond to the system decoder 210 according to the first embodiment and the system decoder 910 according to the second embodiment. Therefore, the system layer unit 1910 and the separation unit 1901 may execute the same processing as the system decoder 210 according to the first embodiment and the system decoder 910 according to the second embodiment.

  The video layer unit 1920 and the decoding unit 1902 correspond to the MVC decoder 220 and the two decoders 221 and 222 according to the first embodiment, and the SVC decoder 920 and the two decoders 921 according to the second embodiment. , 922.

  Therefore, the video layer unit 1920 and the decoding unit 1902 may execute the same processing as the MVC decoder 220 and the two decoders 221 and 222 according to the first embodiment. In addition, the video layer unit 1920 and the decoding unit 1902 may execute the same processing as the SVC decoder 920 and the two decoders 921 and 922 according to the second embodiment.

  The output unit 1903 corresponds to the output unit 260 according to the first embodiment and the output unit 960 according to the second embodiment. Therefore, the output unit 1903 may execute the same processing as the output unit 260 according to the first embodiment and the output unit 960 according to the second embodiment.

  The system layer unit 1910 (system layer) may conform to the MPEG-2 system. That is, the separation unit 1901 of the system layer unit 1910 may separate the descriptor and the encoded stream from the system stream.

  Further, the video layer unit 1920 (video layer) may conform to the multi-view video encoding method. That is, the decoding unit 1902 of the video layer unit 1920 may decode an image encoded according to the multi-view video encoding method. More specifically, the decoding unit 1902 may decode the base layer as a base view and the enhancement layer as a non-base view. Then, when decoding the enhancement layer as a non-base view, the decoding unit 1902 may refer to the base layer as a base view.

  When the system layer unit 1910 conforms to the MPEG-2 system and the video layer unit 1920 conforms to the multi-view video encoding method, the separation unit 1901 includes a descriptor for the multi-view video encoding method and The encoded stream may be separated from the system stream. Then, the separation unit 1901 may acquire the identifier included in the descriptor and the encoded stream.

  As a result, the image decoding apparatus 1900 can decode an image encoded by the multi-view video encoding method. Then, the image decoding device 1900 can acquire the identifier from the descriptor for the multi-view video encoding method. Therefore, the image decoding apparatus 1900 can appropriately cope with the left / right mixed format.

  In addition, the video layer unit 1920 (video layer) is H.264. It may conform to H.264 MVC. That is, the decoding unit 1902 of the video layer unit 1920 performs the H.264 An image encoded according to H.264 MVC may be decoded.

  The system layer unit 1910 is compliant with the MPEG-2 system, and the video layer unit 1920 is H.264. In the case of conforming to H.264 MVC, the separation unit 1901 is an H.264 standard. The MVC descriptor for H.264 MVC and the encoded stream may be separated from the system stream. Then, the separation unit 1901 may acquire the identifier included in the MVC descriptor and the encoded stream.

  As a result, the image decoding apparatus 1900 has the H.264 standard. Images encoded with H.264 MVC can be decoded. Then, the image decoding apparatus 1900 includes the H.264 standard. An identifier can be obtained from the MVC descriptor for H.264 MVC. Therefore, the image decoding apparatus 1900 can appropriately cope with the left / right mixed format.

  Further, the decoding unit 1902 may decode an image in the left / right mixed format when the image format is the left / right mixed format, and may decode an image in the left / right independent format when the image format is not the left / right mixed format. The left-right independent format is a format that includes a left-view picture and a right-view picture as different pictures.

  Accordingly, the image decoding apparatus 1900 can decode the left-right mixed format image or the left-right independent format image.

  Further, the video layer unit 1920 (video layer) may conform to a scalable video coding system. That is, the decoding unit 1902 of the video layer unit 1920 may decode an image encoded according to the scalable video encoding method. More specifically, the decoding unit 1902 may decode an image composed of a base layer and an enhancement layer.

  When the system layer unit 1910 conforms to the MPEG-2 system and the video layer unit 1920 conforms to the scalable video encoding scheme, the separation unit 1901 includes a descriptor and a code for the scalable video encoding scheme Stream may be separated from the system stream. Then, the separation unit 1901 may acquire the identifier included in the descriptor and the encoded stream.

  Accordingly, the image decoding device 1900 can decode an image encoded by the scalable video encoding method. Then, the image decoding apparatus 1900 can acquire the identifier from the descriptor for the scalable video coding method. Therefore, the image decoding apparatus 1900 can appropriately cope with the left / right mixed format.

  In addition, the video layer unit 1920 (video layer) is H.264. H.264 SVC. That is, the decoding unit 1902 of the video layer unit 1920 performs the H.264 An image encoded according to H.264 SVC may be decoded.

  The system layer unit 1910 is compliant with the MPEG-2 system, and the video layer unit 1920 is H.264. In the case of complying with H.264 SVC, the separation unit 1901 is an H.264 standard. The SVC descriptor for H.264 SVC and the encoded stream may be separated from the system stream. Then, the separation unit 1901 may acquire the identifier included in the SVC descriptor and the encoded stream.

  As a result, the image decoding apparatus 1900 has the H.264 standard. Images encoded with H.264 SVC can be decoded. Then, the image decoding apparatus 1900 includes the H.264 standard. An identifier can be obtained from the SVC descriptor for H.264 SVC. Therefore, the image decoding apparatus 1900 can appropriately cope with the left / right mixed format.

  Also, the decoding unit 1902 may decode an image for stereoscopic display when the image format is a left / right mixed format, and may decode an image for flat display when the image format is not a left / right mixed format. .

  Accordingly, the image decoding device 1900 can decode an image for stereoscopic display or an image for flat display.

(Embodiment 6)
The image encoding device and the image decoding device according to the present embodiment include additional components in addition to the image encoding device and the image decoding device according to Embodiment 5.

  FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an example of an image encoding device according to the present embodiment. An image encoding device 2100 illustrated in FIG. 21 includes a generation unit 2104, a video layer unit 2110, and a system layer unit 2120. The video layer unit 2110 includes an encoding unit 2101, and the system layer unit 2120 includes a multiplexing unit 2102.

  Video layer unit 2110, system layer unit 2120, encoding unit 2101 and multiplexing unit 2102 correspond to video layer unit 1710, system layer unit 1720, encoding unit 1701 and multiplexing unit 1702 according to Embodiment 5, respectively. Then, the same operation is executed.

  The generation unit 2104 generates a left / right mixed format image from the left picture and the right picture. Here, the left picture is a picture of the left viewpoint. The right picture is a right viewpoint picture. The encoding unit 2101 encodes the image generated by the generation unit 2104 to generate an encoded stream when encoding an image in the left / right mixed format.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image encoding device 2100 shown in FIG.

  First, the generation unit 2104 generates an image of a left / right mixed format from the left picture and the right picture (S2201).

  At this time, the generation unit 2104 generates a picture including the first portion of the left picture in the left viewpoint image region and the second portion of the right picture in the right viewpoint image region as the base layer picture. Also, the generation unit 2104 generates a picture including the third portion of the left picture in the left viewpoint image region and the fourth portion of the right picture in the right viewpoint image region as an enhancement layer picture. Here, the first part and the third part are different. Further, the second part and the fourth part are different.

  Alternatively, the generation unit 2104 generates a picture including the first portion of the left picture in the left viewpoint image region and the second portion of the right picture in the right viewpoint image region as the base layer picture. Also, the generation unit 2104 generates, as an enhancement layer picture, a picture that includes all or the third part of the left picture in the left-viewpoint image area and includes all or the fourth part of the right picture in the right-viewpoint image area. To do. Here, the third portion includes the first portion. The fourth portion includes the second portion.

  The generation unit 2104 generates an image in a left / right mixed format from the left picture and the right picture by the above-described procedure.

  Next, the encoding unit 2101 encodes the image to generate an encoded stream (S2202). The encoding unit 2101 encodes the image generated by the generation unit 2104 to generate an encoded stream when encoding an image in the left / right mixed format.

  Next, the multiplexing unit 2102 generates a system stream by multiplexing the identifier and the encoded stream (S2203). The identifier indicates whether or not the image format is a left / right mixed format.

  Accordingly, the image encoding device 2100 can generate an image in a left / right mixed format. Then, it is possible to generate a system stream that allows the decoding-side system layer to determine whether or not an image is a left-right mixed format.

  The enhancement layer picture is generated from a part different from the part corresponding to the base layer picture or a part including a part corresponding to the base layer picture. Therefore, stepped accuracy is realized by the base layer picture and the enhancement layer picture.

  The generation unit 2104 corresponds to the four horizontal ½ reduction units 111 to 114 and the two integration units 121 and 122 according to the first embodiment, and two horizontal ½s according to the second embodiment. This corresponds to the reduction units 811 and 812 and the two integration units 821 and 822.

  Therefore, the generation unit 2104 may execute the same processing as the four horizontal ½ reduction units 111 to 114 and the two integration units 121 and 122 according to the first embodiment. Further, the generation unit 2104 may execute the same processing as the two horizontal ½ reduction units 811 and 812 and the two integration units 821 and 822 according to the second embodiment.

  FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing an example of an image decoding apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image decoding device 2300 illustrated in FIG. 23 includes a system layer unit 2310, a video layer unit 2320, a generation unit 2304, and an output unit 2303. The system layer unit 2310 includes a separation unit 2301, and the video layer unit 2320 includes a decoding unit 2302.

  System layer unit 2310, video layer unit 2320, demultiplexing unit 2301 and decoding unit 2302 correspond to system layer unit 1910, video layer unit 1920, demultiplexing unit 1901 and decoding unit 1902 according to Embodiment 5, respectively. Perform the action.

  The generation unit 2304 generates a left picture and a right picture when the image format is a left / right mixed format. Here, the left picture is a picture of the left viewpoint. The right picture is a right viewpoint picture. When the image format is a left / right mixed format, the output unit 2303 outputs the left picture and right picture generated by the generation unit 2304 as images.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image decoding device 2300 shown in FIG.

  First, the separation unit 2301 separates the identifier and the encoded stream from the system stream, and acquires the identifier and the encoded stream (S2401). The identifier indicates whether or not the image format is a left / right mixed format.

  Next, the decoding unit 2302 decodes an image included in the encoded stream acquired by the separation unit 2301 (S2402).

  Next, the generation unit 2304 generates a left picture and a right picture when the format of the image is a left / right mixed format (S2403).

  In this case, the generation unit 2304 acquires the first portion of the left picture from the left viewpoint image area of the base layer picture. In addition, the generation unit 2304 acquires the second portion of the right picture from the right viewpoint image area of the base layer picture. Here, the base layer picture is a picture included in the image decoded by the decoding unit 2302, and is a picture of the base layer.

  Also, the generation unit 2304 acquires the third part of the left picture from the left viewpoint image area of the enhancement layer picture. In addition, the generation unit 2304 acquires the fourth portion of the right picture from the right viewpoint image area of the enhancement layer picture. Here, the enhancement layer picture is a picture included in the image decoded by the decoding unit 2302, and is a picture of the enhancement layer. Further, the first part and the third part are different, and the second part and the fourth part are different.

  Then, the generation unit 2304 generates a left picture from the acquired first part and the acquired third part, and from the acquired second part and the acquired fourth part Generate the right picture.

  Next, the output unit 2303 outputs the image decoded by the decoding unit 2302 in the output mode specified according to the identifier acquired by the separation unit 2301 (S2404). When the image format is a left / right mixed format, the output unit 2303 outputs the left picture and right picture generated by the generation unit 2304 as images.

  Thereby, the image decoding apparatus 2300 can switch the output mode of the image according to the identifier indicating whether or not the image is in the left / right mixed format. Also, the image decoding apparatus 2300 can generate a high-definition left picture and a high-definition right picture by a combination of a base layer picture and an enhancement layer picture.

  Note that the generation unit 2304 corresponds to the image synthesis unit 266 and the pixel rearrangement unit 267 according to Embodiment 1. Therefore, the generation unit 2304 may execute the same processing as the image synthesis unit 266 and the pixel rearrangement unit 267 according to Embodiment 1.

  In addition, when the image format is the left / right mixed format, the generation unit 2304 generates a left picture from the left viewpoint image area of the decoded picture, and generates a right picture from the right viewpoint image area of the decoded picture. Also good. Here, the decoded picture is a picture included in the image decoded by the decoding unit 2302, and is one of the base layer and the enhancement layer.

  Accordingly, the image decoding apparatus 2300 can generate the left picture and the right picture from either the base layer picture or the enhancement layer picture. Therefore, the image decoding device 2300 can generate an image having any one of a plurality of accuracies.

  In this case, the generation unit 2304 corresponds to the pixel rearrangement unit 967 according to Embodiment 2. Therefore, the generation unit 2304 may execute the same processing as that of the pixel rearrangement unit 967 according to Embodiment 2.

  As mentioned above, although the image coding apparatus and the image decoding apparatus according to the present invention have been described based on a plurality of embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Embodiments obtained by subjecting the embodiments to modifications conceivable by those skilled in the art and other embodiments realized by arbitrarily combining the components in the embodiments are also included in the present invention.

  For example, a process performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. In addition, the order in which the processes are executed may be changed, or a plurality of processes may be executed in parallel.

  Further, in the above-described left / right mixed format, the enhancement layer is composed of pictures, but the enhancement layer may not be composed of pictures. The enhancement layer may be data for improving the accuracy of the base layer picture. The accuracy is not limited to the resolution, and may be a frame rate, the number of pixels, a pixel depth, a signal-to-noise ratio, or the like.

  In addition, the present invention can be realized not only as an image encoding device and an image decoding device, but also as a method that includes processing means constituting the image encoding device and the image decoding device as steps. For example, these steps are performed by a computer. The present invention can be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute the steps included in these methods. Furthermore, the present invention can be realized as a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM in which the program is recorded.

  The plurality of components included in the image encoding device and the image decoding device may be realized as an LSI (Large Scale Integration) that is an integrated circuit. These components may be individually made into one chip, or may be made into one chip so as to include a part or all of them. For example, components other than the storage unit may be integrated into one chip. Although referred to here as an LSI, it may be referred to as an IC (Integrated Circuit), a system LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration.

  Further, the method of circuit integration is not limited to LSI's, and implementation using dedicated circuitry or general purpose processors is also possible. A programmable programmable gate array (FPGA) or a reconfigurable processor capable of reconfiguring connection and setting of circuit cells inside the LSI may be used.

  Furthermore, if integrated circuit technology that replaces LSI appears as a result of advances in semiconductor technology or other derived technology, naturally, using this technology, integrated circuits of components included in image encoding devices and image decoding devices May also be performed.

(Embodiment 7)
By recording a program for realizing the configuration of the moving picture encoding method or moving picture decoding method shown in each of the above embodiments on a storage medium, the computer system in which the processing shown in each of the above embodiments is independent It becomes possible to carry out easily. The storage medium may be any medium that can record a program, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, and a semiconductor memory.

  Furthermore, application examples of the moving picture coding method and the moving picture decoding method shown in the above embodiments and a system using the same will be described.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a content supply system ex100 that implements a content distribution service. A communication service providing area is divided into desired sizes, and base stations ex106, ex107, ex108, ex109, and ex110, which are fixed wireless stations, are installed in each cell.

  The content supply system ex100 includes a computer ex111, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) ex112, a camera ex113, a mobile phone ex114, and a game machine ex115 via the Internet ex101, the Internet service provider ex102, the telephone network ex104, and the base stations ex106 to ex110. Etc. are connected.

  However, the content supply system ex100 is not limited to the configuration as shown in FIG. 25, and any element may be combined and connected. In addition, each device may be directly connected to the telephone network ex104 without going from the base station ex106, which is a fixed wireless station, to ex110. In addition, the devices may be directly connected to each other via short-range wireless or the like.

  The camera ex113 is a device capable of shooting a moving image such as a digital video camera, and the camera ex116 is a device capable of shooting a still image and moving image such as a digital camera. In addition, the mobile phone ex114 is a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) method, a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) method, a W-CDMA (Wideband-Code Division Multiple Access) method, an LTE (Long Term Evolution) method, an HSPA ( A High Speed Packet Access (PHS) mobile phone or a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) may be used.

  In the content supply system ex100, the camera ex113 and the like are connected to the streaming server ex103 through the base station ex109 and the telephone network ex104, thereby enabling live distribution and the like. In live distribution, the content (for example, music live video) captured by the user using the camera ex113 is encoded as described in the above embodiments, and transmitted to the streaming server ex103. On the other hand, the streaming server ex103 stream-distributes the content data transmitted to the requested client. Examples of the client include a computer ex111, a PDA ex112, a camera ex113, a mobile phone ex114, and a game machine ex115 that can decode the encoded data. Each device that receives the distributed data decodes the received data and reproduces it.

  Note that the captured data may be encoded by the camera ex113, the streaming server ex103 that performs data transmission processing, or may be shared with each other. Similarly, the decryption processing of the distributed data may be performed by the client, the streaming server ex103, or may be performed in common with each other. In addition to the camera ex113, still images and / or moving image data captured by the camera ex116 may be transmitted to the streaming server ex103 via the computer ex111. The encoding process in this case may be performed by any of the camera ex116, the computer ex111, and the streaming server ex103, or may be performed in a shared manner.

  These encoding / decoding processes are generally performed by the computer ex111 and the LSI ex500 included in each device. The LSI ex500 may be configured as a single chip or a plurality of chips. It should be noted that moving image encoding / decoding software is incorporated into some recording medium (CD-ROM, flexible disk, hard disk, etc.) that can be read by the computer ex111 and the like, and encoding / decoding processing is performed using the software. May be. Furthermore, when the mobile phone ex114 is equipped with a camera, moving image data acquired by the camera may be transmitted. The moving image data at this time is data encoded by the LSI ex500 included in the mobile phone ex114.

  The streaming server ex103 may be a plurality of servers or a plurality of computers, and may process, record, and distribute data in a distributed manner.

  As described above, in the content supply system ex100, the client can receive and reproduce the encoded data. Thus, in the content supply system ex100, the information transmitted by the user can be received, decrypted and reproduced by the client in real time, and personal broadcasting can be realized even for a user who does not have special rights or facilities.

  In addition to the example of the content supply system ex100, as shown in FIG. 26, at least one of the video encoding device and the video decoding device of each of the above embodiments is incorporated in the digital broadcasting system ex200. be able to. Specifically, in the broadcast station ex201, multiplexed data obtained by multiplexing music data and the like on video data is transmitted to a communication or satellite ex202 via radio waves. This video data is data encoded by the moving image encoding method described in the above embodiments. Receiving this, the broadcasting satellite ex202 transmits a radio wave for broadcasting, and this radio wave is received by a home antenna ex204 capable of receiving satellite broadcasting. The received multiplexed data is decoded and reproduced by a device such as the television (receiver) ex300 or the set top box (STB) ex217.

  Also, a reader / recorder ex218 that reads and decodes multiplexed data recorded on a recording medium ex215 such as a DVD or a BD, or encodes a video signal on the recording medium ex215 and, in some cases, multiplexes and writes it with a music signal. It is possible to mount the moving picture decoding apparatus or moving picture encoding apparatus described in the above embodiments. In this case, the reproduced video signal is displayed on the monitor ex219, and the video signal can be reproduced in another device or system using the recording medium ex215 on which the multiplexed data is recorded. Alternatively, a moving picture decoding apparatus may be mounted in a set-top box ex217 connected to a cable ex203 for cable television or an antenna ex204 for satellite / terrestrial broadcasting and displayed on the monitor ex219 of the television. At this time, the moving picture decoding apparatus may be incorporated in the television instead of the set top box.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a television (receiver) ex300 that uses the video decoding method and the video encoding method described in each of the above embodiments. The television ex300 obtains or outputs multiplexed data in which audio data is multiplexed with video data via the antenna ex204 or the cable ex203 that receives the broadcast, and demodulates the received multiplexed data. Alternatively, the modulation / demodulation unit ex302 that modulates multiplexed data to be transmitted to the outside, and the demodulated multiplexed data is separated into video data and audio data, or the video data and audio data encoded by the signal processing unit ex306 Is provided with a multiplexing / demultiplexing unit ex303.

  Further, the television ex300 decodes the audio data and the video data, or encodes each information, the audio signal processing unit ex304, the signal processing unit ex306 including the video signal processing unit ex305, and the decoded audio signal. A speaker ex307 for outputting, and an output unit ex309 having a display unit ex308 such as a display for displaying the decoded video signal. Furthermore, the television ex300 includes an interface unit ex317 including an operation input unit ex312 that receives an input of a user operation. Furthermore, the television ex300 includes a control unit ex310 that performs overall control of each unit, and a power supply circuit unit ex311 that supplies power to each unit. In addition to the operation input unit ex312, the interface unit ex317 includes a bridge unit ex313 connected to an external device such as a reader / recorder ex218, a recording unit ex216 such as an SD card, and an external recording unit such as a hard disk. A driver ex315 for connecting to a medium, a modem ex316 for connecting to a telephone network, and the like may be included. Note that the recording medium ex216 is capable of electrically recording information by using a nonvolatile / volatile semiconductor memory element to be stored. Each part of the television ex300 is connected to each other via a synchronous bus.

  First, a configuration in which the television ex300 decodes and reproduces multiplexed data acquired from the outside by the antenna ex204 or the like will be described. The television ex300 receives a user operation from the remote controller ex220 or the like, and demultiplexes the multiplexed data demodulated by the modulation / demodulation unit ex302 by the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit ex303 based on the control of the control unit ex310 having a CPU or the like. Furthermore, in the television ex300, the separated audio data is decoded by the audio signal processing unit ex304, and the separated video data is decoded by the video signal processing unit ex305 using the decoding method described in each of the above embodiments. The decoded audio signal and video signal are output from the output unit ex309 to the outside. At the time of output, these signals may be temporarily stored in the buffers ex318, ex319, etc. so that the audio signal and the video signal are reproduced in synchronization. Also, the television ex300 may read multiplexed data from recording media ex215 and ex216 such as a magnetic / optical disk and an SD card, not from broadcasting. Next, a configuration in which the television ex300 encodes an audio signal or a video signal and transmits the signal to the outside or to a recording medium will be described. The television ex300 receives a user operation from the remote controller ex220 and the like, encodes an audio signal with the audio signal processing unit ex304, and converts the video signal with the video signal processing unit ex305 based on the control of the control unit ex310. Encoding is performed using the encoding method described in (1). The encoded audio signal and video signal are multiplexed by the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit ex303 and output to the outside. When multiplexing, these signals may be temporarily stored in the buffers ex320, ex321, etc. so that the audio signal and the video signal are synchronized. Note that a plurality of buffers ex318, ex319, ex320, and ex321 may be provided as illustrated, or one or more buffers may be shared. Further, in addition to the illustrated example, data may be stored in the buffer as a buffer material that prevents system overflow and underflow, for example, between the modulation / demodulation unit ex302 and the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit ex303.

  In addition to acquiring audio data and video data from broadcasts, recording media, and the like, the television ex300 has a configuration for receiving AV input of a microphone and a camera, and performs encoding processing on the data acquired from them. Also good. Here, the television ex300 has been described as a configuration capable of the above-described encoding processing, multiplexing, and external output, but these processing cannot be performed, and only the above-described reception, decoding processing, and external output are possible. It may be a configuration.

  In addition, when reading or writing multiplexed data from a recording medium by the reader / recorder ex218, the decoding process or the encoding process may be performed by either the television ex300 or the reader / recorder ex218, The reader / recorder ex218 may share with each other.

  As an example, FIG. 28 shows a configuration of an information reproducing / recording unit ex400 when data is read from or written to an optical disk. The information reproducing / recording unit ex400 includes elements ex401, ex402, ex403, ex404, ex405, ex406, and ex407 described below. The optical head ex401 irradiates a laser spot on the recording surface of the recording medium ex215 that is an optical disk to write information, and detects information reflected from the recording surface of the recording medium ex215 to read the information. The modulation recording unit ex402 electrically drives a semiconductor laser built in the optical head ex401 and modulates the laser beam according to the recording data. The reproduction demodulator ex403 amplifies the reproduction signal obtained by electrically detecting the reflected light from the recording surface by the photodetector built in the optical head ex401, separates and demodulates the signal component recorded on the recording medium ex215, and is necessary To play back information. The buffer ex404 temporarily holds information to be recorded on the recording medium ex215 and information reproduced from the recording medium ex215. The disk motor ex405 rotates the recording medium ex215. The servo control unit ex406 moves the optical head ex401 to a predetermined information track while controlling the rotational drive of the disk motor ex405, and performs a laser spot tracking process. The system control unit ex407 controls the entire information reproduction / recording unit ex400. In the reading and writing processes described above, the system control unit ex407 uses various types of information held in the buffer ex404, and generates and adds new information as necessary. The modulation recording unit ex402, the reproduction demodulation unit This is realized by recording / reproducing information through the optical head ex401 while operating the ex403 and the servo control unit ex406 in a coordinated manner. The system control unit ex407 includes, for example, a microprocessor, and executes these processes by executing a read / write program.

  In the above, the optical head ex401 has been described as irradiating a laser spot. However, the optical head ex401 may be configured to perform higher-density recording using near-field light.

  FIG. 29 shows a schematic diagram of a recording medium ex215 that is an optical disk. Guide grooves (grooves) are formed in a spiral shape on the recording surface of the recording medium ex215, and address information indicating the absolute position on the disc is recorded in advance on the information track ex230 by changing the shape of the groove. This address information includes information for specifying the position of the recording block ex231 that is a unit for recording data, and the recording block is specified by reproducing the information track ex230 and reading the address information in a recording or reproducing apparatus. Can do. Further, the recording medium ex215 includes a data recording area ex233, an inner peripheral area ex232, and an outer peripheral area ex234. The area used for recording user data is the data recording area ex233, and the inner circumference area ex232 and the outer circumference area ex234 arranged on the inner or outer circumference of the data recording area ex233 are used for specific purposes other than user data recording. Used. The information reproducing / recording unit ex400 reads / writes encoded audio data, video data, or multiplexed data obtained by multiplexing these data with respect to the data recording area ex233 of the recording medium ex215.

  In the above description, an optical disk such as a single-layer DVD or BD has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and an optical disk having a multilayer structure and capable of recording other than the surface may be used. Also, an optical disc with a multi-dimensional recording / reproducing structure, such as recording information using light of different wavelengths in the same place on the disc, or recording different layers of information from various angles. It may be.

  In the digital broadcasting system ex200, the car ex210 having the antenna ex205 can receive data from the satellite ex202 and the like, and the moving image can be reproduced on the display device such as the car navigation ex211 that the car ex210 has. For example, the configuration of the car navigation ex211 may include a configuration in which a GPS receiving unit is added to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 27, and the same may be applied to the computer ex111, the mobile phone ex114, and the like.

  FIG. 30A is a diagram illustrating the mobile phone ex114 using the video decoding method and the video encoding method described in the above embodiment. The mobile phone ex114 includes an antenna ex350 for transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from the base station ex110, a camera unit ex365 capable of capturing video and still images, a video captured by the camera unit ex365, a video received by the antenna ex350, and the like Is provided with a display unit ex358 such as a liquid crystal display for displaying the decrypted data. The mobile phone ex114 further includes a main body unit having an operation key unit ex366, an audio output unit ex357 such as a speaker for outputting audio, an audio input unit ex356 such as a microphone for inputting audio, a captured video, In the memory unit ex367 for storing encoded data or decoded data such as still images, recorded audio, received video, still images, mails, or the like, or an interface unit with a recording medium for storing data A slot ex364 is provided.

  Further, a configuration example of the mobile phone ex114 will be described with reference to FIG. 30B. The mobile phone ex114 has a power supply circuit part ex361, an operation input control part ex362, and a video signal processing part ex355 with respect to a main control part ex360 that comprehensively controls each part of the main body including the display part ex358 and the operation key part ex366. , A camera interface unit ex363, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) control unit ex359, a modulation / demodulation unit ex352, a multiplexing / demultiplexing unit ex353, an audio signal processing unit ex354, a slot unit ex364, and a memory unit ex367 are connected to each other via a bus ex370. ing.

  When the end call and the power key are turned on by a user operation, the power supply circuit ex361 starts up the mobile phone ex114 in an operable state by supplying power from the battery pack to each unit.

  The cellular phone ex114 converts the audio signal collected by the audio input unit ex356 in the voice call mode into a digital audio signal by the audio signal processing unit ex354 based on the control of the main control unit ex360 having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. Then, this is subjected to spectrum spread processing by the modulation / demodulation unit ex352, digital-analog conversion processing and frequency conversion processing are performed by the transmission / reception unit ex351, and then transmitted via the antenna ex350. The mobile phone ex114 also amplifies the received data received via the antenna ex350 in the voice call mode, performs frequency conversion processing and analog-digital conversion processing, performs spectrum despreading processing by the modulation / demodulation unit ex352, and performs voice signal processing unit After converting to an analog audio signal at ex354, this is output from the audio output unit ex357.

  Further, when an e-mail is transmitted in the data communication mode, the text data of the e-mail input by operating the operation key unit ex366 of the main unit is sent to the main control unit ex360 via the operation input control unit ex362. The main control unit ex360 performs spread spectrum processing on the text data in the modulation / demodulation unit ex352, performs digital analog conversion processing and frequency conversion processing in the transmission / reception unit ex351, and then transmits the text data to the base station ex110 via the antenna ex350. . In the case of receiving an e-mail, almost the reverse process is performed on the received data and output to the display unit ex358.

  When transmitting video, still images, or video and audio in the data communication mode, the video signal processing unit ex355 compresses the video signal supplied from the camera unit ex365 by the moving image encoding method described in the above embodiments. The encoded video data is sent to the multiplexing / separating unit ex353. The audio signal processing unit ex354 encodes the audio signal picked up by the audio input unit ex356 while the camera unit ex365 images a video, a still image, etc., and sends the encoded audio data to the multiplexing / separating unit ex353. To do.

  The multiplexing / demultiplexing unit ex353 multiplexes the encoded video data supplied from the video signal processing unit ex355 and the encoded audio data supplied from the audio signal processing unit ex354 by a predetermined method, and is obtained as a result. The multiplexed data is subjected to spread spectrum processing by the modulation / demodulation circuit unit ex352, subjected to digital analog conversion processing and frequency conversion processing by the transmission / reception unit ex351, and then transmitted via the antenna ex350.

  Decode multiplexed data received via antenna ex350 when receiving video file data linked to a homepage, etc. in data communication mode, or when receiving e-mail with video and / or audio attached Therefore, the multiplexing / separating unit ex353 separates the multiplexed data into a video data bit stream and an audio data bit stream, and performs video signal processing on the video data encoded via the synchronization bus ex370. The encoded audio data is supplied to the audio signal processing unit ex354 while being supplied to the unit ex355. The video signal processing unit ex355 decodes the video signal by decoding using the video decoding method corresponding to the video encoding method described in each of the above embodiments, and the display unit ex358 via the LCD control unit ex359. From, for example, video and still images included in a moving image file linked to a home page are displayed. The audio signal processing unit ex354 decodes the audio signal, and the audio is output from the audio output unit ex357.

  In addition to the transmission / reception type terminal having both the encoder and the decoder, the terminal such as the mobile phone ex114 is referred to as a transmission terminal having only an encoder and a receiving terminal having only a decoder. There are three possible mounting formats. Furthermore, in the digital broadcasting system ex200, it has been described that multiplexed data in which music data is multiplexed with video data is received and transmitted. However, in addition to audio data, character data related to video is multiplexed. It may be converted data, or may be video data itself instead of multiplexed data.

  As described above, the moving picture encoding method or the moving picture decoding method shown in each of the above embodiments can be used in any of the above-described devices / systems. The described effect can be obtained.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

(Embodiment 8)
The moving picture coding method or apparatus shown in the above embodiments and the moving picture coding method or apparatus compliant with different standards such as MPEG-2, MPEG4-AVC, and VC-1 are appropriately switched as necessary. Thus, it is also possible to generate video data.

  Here, when a plurality of video data compliant with different standards are generated, it is necessary to select a decoding method corresponding to each standard when decoding. However, since it is impossible to identify which standard the video data to be decoded complies with, there arises a problem that an appropriate decoding method cannot be selected.

  In order to solve this problem, multiplexed data obtained by multiplexing audio data and the like on video data is configured to include identification information indicating which standard the video data conforms to. A specific configuration of multiplexed data including video data generated by the moving picture encoding method or apparatus shown in the above embodiments will be described below. The multiplexed data is a digital stream in the MPEG-2 transport stream format.

  FIG. 31 shows a structure of multiplexed data. As shown in FIG. 31, multiplexed data is obtained by multiplexing one or more of a video stream, an audio stream, a presentation graphics stream (PG), and an interactive graphics stream. The video stream indicates the main video and sub-video of the movie, the audio stream (IG) indicates the main audio portion of the movie and the sub-audio mixed with the main audio, and the presentation graphics stream indicates the subtitles of the movie. Here, the main video indicates a normal video displayed on the screen, and the sub-video is a video displayed on a small screen in the main video. The interactive graphics stream indicates an interactive screen created by arranging GUI components on the screen. The video stream is encoded by the moving image encoding method or apparatus described in the above embodiments, or the moving image encoding method or apparatus conforming to the conventional standards such as MPEG-2, MPEG4-AVC, and VC-1. ing. The audio stream is encoded by a method such as Dolby AC-3, Dolby Digital Plus, MLP, DTS, DTS-HD, or linear PCM.

  Each stream included in the multiplexed data is identified by PID. For example, 0x1011 for video streams used for movie images, 0x1100 to 0x111F for audio streams, 0x1200 to 0x121F for presentation graphics, 0x1400 to 0x141F for interactive graphics streams, 0x1B00 to 0x1B1F are assigned to video streams used for sub-pictures, and 0x1A00 to 0x1A1F are assigned to audio streams used for sub-audio mixed with the main audio.

  FIG. 32 is a diagram schematically showing how multiplexed data is multiplexed. First, a video stream ex235 composed of a plurality of video frames and an audio stream ex238 composed of a plurality of audio frames are converted into PES packet sequences ex236 and ex239, respectively, and converted into TS packets ex237 and ex240. Similarly, the data of the presentation graphics stream ex241 and interactive graphics ex244 are converted into PES packet sequences ex242 and ex245, respectively, and further converted into TS packets ex243 and ex246. The multiplexed data ex247 is configured by multiplexing these TS packets into one stream.

  FIG. 33 shows in more detail how the video stream is stored in the PES packet sequence. The first row in FIG. 33 shows a video frame sequence of the video stream. The second level shows a PES packet sequence. As shown by arrows yy1, yy2, yy3, and yy4 in FIG. 33, a plurality of Video Presentation Units in the video stream are divided for each picture, and stored in the payload of the PES packet. . Each PES packet has a PES header, and a PTS (Presentation Time-Stamp) that is a picture display time and a DTS (Decoding Time-Stamp) that is a picture decoding time are stored in the PES header.

  FIG. 34 shows the format of TS packets that are finally written in the multiplexed data. The TS packet is a 188-byte fixed-length packet composed of a 4-byte TS header having information such as a PID for identifying a stream and a 184-byte TS payload for storing data. The PES packet is divided and stored in the TS payload. The In the case of a BD-ROM, a 4-byte TP_Extra_Header is added to a TS packet, forms a 192-byte source packet, and is written in multiplexed data. In TP_Extra_Header, information such as ATS (Arrival_Time_Stamp) is described. ATS indicates the transfer start time of the TS packet to the PID filter of the decoder. Source packets are arranged in the multiplexed data as shown in the lower part of FIG. 34, and the number incremented from the head of the multiplexed data is called SPN (source packet number).

  In addition, TS packets included in multiplexed data include PAT (Program Association Table), PMT (Program Map Table), PCR (Program Clock Reference), and the like in addition to video, audio, and subtitle streams. PAT indicates what the PID of the PMT used in the multiplexed data is, and the PID of the PAT itself is registered as 0. The PMT has the PID of each stream such as video / audio / subtitles included in the multiplexed data and the attribute information of the stream corresponding to each PID, and has various descriptors related to the multiplexed data. The descriptor includes copy control information for instructing permission / non-permission of copying of multiplexed data. In order to synchronize ATC (Arrival Time Clock), which is the time axis of ATS, and STC (System Time Clock), which is the time axis of PTS / DTS, PCR corresponds to the ATS in which the PCR packet is transferred to the decoder. Contains STC time information.

  FIG. 35 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of the PMT in detail. A PMT header describing the length of data included in the PMT is arranged at the head of the PMT. After that, a plurality of descriptors related to multiplexed data are arranged. The copy control information and the like are described as descriptors. After the descriptor, a plurality of pieces of stream information regarding each stream included in the multiplexed data are arranged. The stream information includes a stream descriptor in which a stream type, a stream PID, and stream attribute information (frame rate, aspect ratio, etc.) are described to identify a compression codec of the stream. There are as many stream descriptors as the number of streams existing in the multiplexed data.

  When recording on a recording medium or the like, the multiplexed data is recorded together with the multiplexed data information file.

  As shown in FIG. 36, the multiplexed data information file is management information of multiplexed data, has a one-to-one correspondence with the multiplexed data, and includes multiplexed data information, stream attribute information, and an entry map.

  As shown in FIG. 36, the multiplexed data information includes a system rate, a reproduction start time, and a reproduction end time. The system rate indicates a maximum transfer rate of multiplexed data to a PID filter of a system target decoder described later. The ATS interval included in the multiplexed data is set to be equal to or less than the system rate. The playback start time is the PTS of the first video frame of the multiplexed data, and the playback end time is set by adding the playback interval for one frame to the PTS of the video frame at the end of the multiplexed data.

  As shown in FIG. 37, in the stream attribute information, attribute information about each stream included in the multiplexed data is registered for each PID. The attribute information has different information for each video stream, audio stream, presentation graphics stream, and interactive graphics stream. The video stream attribute information includes the compression codec used to compress the video stream, the resolution of the individual picture data constituting the video stream, the aspect ratio, and the frame rate. It has information such as how much it is. The audio stream attribute information includes the compression codec used to compress the audio stream, the number of channels included in the audio stream, the language supported, and the sampling frequency. With information. These pieces of information are used for initialization of the decoder before the player reproduces it.

  In the present embodiment, among the multiplexed data, the stream type included in the PMT is used. Also, when multiplexed data is recorded on the recording medium, video stream attribute information included in the multiplexed data information is used. Specifically, in the video encoding method or apparatus shown in each of the above embodiments, the video encoding shown in each of the above embodiments for the stream type or video stream attribute information included in the PMT. There is provided a step or means for setting unique information indicating that the video data is generated by the method or apparatus. With this configuration, it is possible to discriminate between video data generated by the moving picture encoding method or apparatus described in the above embodiments and video data compliant with other standards.

  FIG. 38 shows steps of the moving picture decoding method according to the present embodiment. In step exS100, the stream type included in the PMT or the video stream attribute information included in the multiplexed data information is acquired from the multiplexed data. Next, in step exS101, it is determined whether or not the stream type or the video stream attribute information indicates multiplexed data generated by the moving picture encoding method or apparatus described in the above embodiments. To do. When it is determined that the stream type or the video stream attribute information is generated by the moving image encoding method or apparatus described in the above embodiments, in step exS102, the above embodiments are performed. Decoding is performed by the moving picture decoding method shown in the form. If the stream type or the video stream attribute information indicates that it conforms to a standard such as conventional MPEG-2, MPEG4-AVC, or VC-1, in step exS103, Decoding is performed by a moving image decoding method compliant with the standard.

  In this way, by setting a new unique value in the stream type or video stream attribute information, whether or not decoding is possible with the moving picture decoding method or apparatus described in each of the above embodiments is performed. Judgment can be made. Therefore, even when multiplexed data conforming to different standards is input, an appropriate decoding method or apparatus can be selected, and therefore decoding can be performed without causing an error. In addition, the moving picture encoding method or apparatus or the moving picture decoding method or apparatus described in this embodiment can be used in any of the above-described devices and systems.

(Embodiment 9)
The moving picture encoding method and apparatus and moving picture decoding method and apparatus described in the above embodiments are typically realized by an LSI that is an integrated circuit. As an example, FIG. 39 shows a configuration of the LSI ex500 that is made into one chip. The LSI ex500 includes elements ex501, ex502, ex503, ex504, ex505, ex506, ex507, ex508, and ex509 described below, and each element is connected via a bus ex510. The power supply circuit unit ex505 is activated to an operable state by supplying power to each unit when the power supply is on.

  For example, when performing the encoding process, the LSI ex500 uses the AV I / O ex509 to perform the microphone ex117 and the camera ex113 based on the control of the control unit ex501 including the CPU ex502, the memory controller ex503, the stream controller ex504, the drive frequency control unit ex512, and the like. The AV signal is input from the above. The input AV signal is temporarily stored in an external memory ex511 such as SDRAM. Based on the control of the control unit ex501, the accumulated data is divided into a plurality of times as appropriate according to the processing amount and the processing speed and sent to the signal processing unit ex507, and the signal processing unit ex507 encodes an audio signal and / or video. Signal encoding is performed. Here, the encoding process of the video signal is the encoding process described in the above embodiments. The signal processing unit ex507 further performs processing such as multiplexing the encoded audio data and the encoded video data according to circumstances, and outputs the result from the stream I / Oex 506 to the outside. The output multiplexed data is transmitted to the base station ex107 or written to the recording medium ex215. It should be noted that data should be temporarily stored in the buffer ex508 so as to be synchronized when multiplexing.

  In the above description, the memory ex511 is described as an external configuration of the LSI ex500. However, a configuration included in the LSI ex500 may be used. The number of buffers ex508 is not limited to one, and a plurality of buffers may be provided. The LSI ex500 may be made into one chip or a plurality of chips.

  In the above description, the control unit ex510 includes the CPU ex502, the memory controller ex503, the stream controller ex504, the drive frequency control unit ex512, and the like, but the configuration of the control unit ex510 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the signal processing unit ex507 may further include a CPU. By providing a CPU also in the signal processing unit ex507, the processing speed can be further improved. As another example, the CPU ex502 may be configured to include a signal processing unit ex507 or, for example, an audio signal processing unit that is a part of the signal processing unit ex507. In such a case, the control unit ex501 is configured to include a signal processing unit ex507 or a CPU ex502 having a part thereof.

  Here, although LSI is used, it may be called IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration.

  Further, the method of circuit integration is not limited to LSI's, and implementation using dedicated circuitry or general purpose processors is also possible. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after manufacturing the LSI, or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connection and setting of circuit cells inside the LSI may be used.

  Furthermore, if integrated circuit technology comes out to replace LSI's as a result of the advancement of semiconductor technology or a derivative other technology, it is naturally also possible to carry out function block integration using this technology. Biotechnology can be applied.

(Embodiment 10)
When decoding video data generated by the moving picture encoding method or apparatus described in the above embodiments, video data compliant with standards such as MPEG-2, MPEG4-AVC, and VC-1 is decoded. It is conceivable that the amount of processing increases compared to the case. Therefore, in LSI ex500, it is necessary to set a driving frequency higher than the driving frequency of CPU ex502 when decoding video data compliant with the conventional standard. However, when the drive frequency is increased, there is a problem that power consumption increases.

  In order to solve this problem, moving picture decoding apparatuses such as the television ex300 and the LSI ex500 are configured to identify which standard the video data conforms to and switch the driving frequency according to the standard. FIG. 40 shows a configuration ex800 in the present embodiment. The drive frequency switching unit ex803 sets the drive frequency high when the video data is generated by the moving image encoding method or apparatus described in the above embodiments. Then, the decoding processing unit ex801 that executes the moving picture decoding method described in each of the above embodiments is instructed to decode the video data. On the other hand, when the video data is video data compliant with the conventional standard, compared to the case where the video data is generated by the moving picture encoding method or apparatus shown in the above embodiments, Set the drive frequency low. Then, it instructs the decoding processing unit ex802 compliant with the conventional standard to decode the video data.

  More specifically, the drive frequency switching unit ex803 includes the CPU ex502 and the drive frequency control unit ex512 in FIG. Also, the decoding processing unit ex801 that executes the moving picture decoding method shown in each of the above embodiments and the decoding processing unit ex802 that complies with the conventional standard correspond to the signal processing unit ex507 in FIG. The CPU ex502 identifies which standard the video data conforms to. Then, based on the signal from the CPU ex502, the drive frequency control unit ex512 sets the drive frequency. Further, based on the signal from the CPU ex502, the signal processing unit ex507 decodes the video data. Here, for the identification of the video data, for example, it is conceivable to use the identification information described in the eighth embodiment. The identification information is not limited to that described in Embodiment 8, and any information that can identify which standard the video data conforms to may be used. For example, it is possible to identify which standard the video data conforms to based on an external signal that identifies whether the video data is used for a television or a disk. In some cases, identification may be performed based on such an external signal. In addition, the selection of the driving frequency in the CPU ex502 may be performed based on, for example, a look-up table in which video data standards and driving frequencies are associated with each other as shown in FIG. The look-up table is stored in the buffer ex508 or the internal memory of the LSI, and the CPU ex502 can select the drive frequency by referring to the look-up table.

  FIG. 41 shows steps for executing a method in the present embodiment. First, in step exS200, the signal processing unit ex507 acquires identification information from the multiplexed data. Next, in step exS201, the CPU ex502 identifies whether the video data is generated by the encoding method or apparatus described in each of the above embodiments based on the identification information. When the video data is generated by the encoding method or apparatus shown in the above embodiments, in step exS202, the CPU ex502 sends a signal for setting the drive frequency high to the drive frequency control unit ex512. Then, the drive frequency control unit ex512 sets a high drive frequency. On the other hand, if the video data conforms to the standards such as MPEG-2, MPEG4-AVC, and VC-1, the CPU ex502 drives the signal for setting the drive frequency low in step exS203. This is sent to the frequency control unit ex512. Then, in the drive frequency control unit ex512, the drive frequency is set to be lower than that in the case where the video data is generated by the encoding method or apparatus described in the above embodiments.

  Furthermore, the power saving effect can be further enhanced by changing the voltage applied to the LSI ex500 or the device including the LSI ex500 in conjunction with the switching of the driving frequency. For example, when the drive frequency is set low, it is conceivable that the voltage applied to the LSI ex500 or the device including the LSI ex500 is set low as compared with the case where the drive frequency is set high.

  In addition, the setting method of the driving frequency may be set to a high driving frequency when the processing amount at the time of decoding is large, and to a low driving frequency when the processing amount at the time of decoding is small. It is not limited to the method. For example, the amount of processing for decoding video data compliant with the MPEG4-AVC standard is larger than the amount of processing for decoding video data generated by the moving picture encoding method or apparatus described in the above embodiments. It is conceivable that the setting of the driving frequency is reversed to that in the case described above.

  Further, the method for setting the drive frequency is not limited to the configuration in which the drive frequency is lowered. For example, when the identification information indicates that the video data is generated by the moving image encoding method or apparatus described in the above embodiments, the voltage applied to the LSIex500 or the apparatus including the LSIex500 is set high. However, if the video data conforms to the standards such as MPEG-2, MPEG4-AVC, VC-1, etc., it may be considered to set the voltage applied to the device including LSIex500 or LSIex500 low. It is done. As another example, when the identification information indicates that the video data is generated by the moving image encoding method or apparatus described in the above embodiments, the driving of the CPU ex502 is stopped. If the video data conforms to the standards such as MPEG-2, MPEG4-AVC, VC-1, etc., the CPU ex502 is temporarily stopped because there is enough processing. Is also possible. Even when the identification information indicates that the video data is generated by the moving image encoding method or apparatus described in each of the above embodiments, if there is a margin for processing, the CPU ex502 is temporarily driven. It can also be stopped. In this case, it is conceivable to set the stop time shorter than in the case where the video data conforms to the standards such as MPEG-2, MPEG4-AVC, and VC-1.

  In this way, it is possible to save power by switching the drive frequency according to the standard to which the video data complies. In addition, when the battery is used to drive the LSI ex500 or the device including the LSI ex500, it is possible to extend the life of the battery with power saving.

(Embodiment 11)
A plurality of video data that conforms to different standards may be input to the above-described devices and systems such as a television and a mobile phone. As described above, the signal processing unit ex507 of the LSI ex500 needs to support a plurality of standards in order to be able to decode even when a plurality of video data complying with different standards is input. However, when the signal processing unit ex507 corresponding to each standard is used individually, there is a problem that the circuit scale of the LSI ex500 increases and the cost increases.

  In order to solve this problem, a decoding processing unit for executing the moving picture decoding method shown in each of the above embodiments and a decoding conforming to a standard such as conventional MPEG-2, MPEG4-AVC, or VC-1 The processing unit is partly shared. An example of this configuration is shown as ex900 in FIG. 43A. For example, the moving picture decoding method shown in the above embodiments and the moving picture decoding method compliant with the MPEG4-AVC standard are processed in processes such as entropy coding, inverse quantization, deblocking filter, and motion compensation. Some contents are common. For the common processing contents, the decoding processing unit ex902 corresponding to the MPEG4-AVC standard is shared, and for other processing contents specific to the present invention not corresponding to the MPEG4-AVC standard, the dedicated decoding processing unit ex901 is used. Configuration is conceivable. In particular, since the present invention is characterized by system decoding, for example, a dedicated decoding processing unit ex901 is used for system decoding, and other dequantization, entropy coding, deblocking filter, motion, etc. It is conceivable to share the decoding processing unit for any or all of the compensation. Regarding the sharing of the decoding processing unit, regarding the common processing content, the decoding processing unit for executing the moving picture decoding method described in each of the above embodiments is shared, and the processing content specific to the MPEG4-AVC standard As for, a configuration using a dedicated decoding processing unit may be used.

  Further, ex1000 in FIG. 43B shows another example in which processing is partially shared. In this example, a dedicated decoding processing unit ex1001 corresponding to processing content unique to the present invention, a dedicated decoding processing unit ex1002 corresponding to processing content specific to other conventional standards, and a moving picture decoding method of the present invention A common decoding processing unit ex1003 corresponding to processing contents common to other conventional video decoding methods is used. Here, the dedicated decoding processing units ex1001 and ex1002 are not necessarily specialized in the processing content specific to the present invention or other conventional standards, and may be capable of executing other general-purpose processing. Also, the configuration of the present embodiment can be implemented by LSI ex500.

  As described above, by sharing the decoding processing unit with respect to the processing contents common to the moving picture decoding method of the present invention and the moving picture decoding method of the conventional standard, the circuit scale of the LSI is reduced and the cost is reduced. It is possible to reduce.

  The image encoding method and the image decoding method according to the present invention can be used for, for example, a television, a digital video recorder, a car navigation, a mobile phone, a digital camera, or a digital video camera.

100, 800, 1700, 2100 Image encoding device 200, 300, 900, 1000, 1900, 2300 Image decoding device 111, 112, 113, 114, 411, 413, 811, 812 Horizontal 1/2 reduction unit 121, 122, 821, 822 Integration unit 131, 132, 133, 134, 231, 232, 271, 272, 331, 831, 832, 833, 834, 931, 971, 972, 1031 Frame buffer 151, 152, 261, 262, 263, H.264, 851, 852, 961, 963 Switch 160, 860 Input signal controller 170 MVC encoder 171, 172, 871, 872 Encoder 180, 880 System encoder 210, 310, 910, 1010 System decoder 220 MVC Deco DA 221, 222, 321, 921, 922, 1021 Decoder 260, 960, 1903, 2303 Output unit 265, 965 Output control unit 266, 566 Image composition unit 267, 967 Pixel rearrangement unit 290, 390, 990, 1090 Display unit 320, 1020 AVC decoder 815 Horizontal / vertical reduction unit 870 SVC encoder 920 SVC decoder 1701, 2101 Encoding unit 1702, 2102 Multiplexer 1710, 1920, 2110, 2320 Video layer unit 1720, 1910, 2120, 2310 System layer unit 1901, 2301 Separation unit 1902, 2302 Decoding unit 2104, 2304 Generation unit

Claims (20)

An image encoding method comprising: a video layer that encodes an image composed of one or more pictures to generate an encoded stream; and a system layer that generates a system stream for transmitting or storing the encoded stream. And
The video layer includes an encoding step of encoding the image to generate the encoded stream;
The system layer includes: (i) a left and right image area in which the image format includes a base layer and an extension layer for supporting a plurality of precisions, and one picture includes a left viewpoint image area and a right viewpoint image area. And (ii) a multiplexing step of multiplexing the encoded stream generated in the encoding step to generate the system stream,
In the encoding step, when the format of the image is the left / right mixed format, the base layer and the enhancement layer are included, and the left-view image region and the right-view image region are included in the one picture. An image encoding method for generating the encoded stream by encoding the image including the image. The system layer conforms to the MPEG-2 system,
The video layer conforms to a multi-view video encoding scheme,
In the encoding step, the encoded stream is generated by encoding the image according to the multi-view video encoding method,
2. In the multiplexing step, the identifier is inserted into a descriptor for the multi-view video encoding scheme, and the descriptor including the identifier and the encoded stream are multiplexed to generate the system stream. The image encoding method described in 1. The video layer is H.264. H.264 MVC,
The descriptor for the multi-view video encoding method is the H.264 format. H.264 MVC descriptor for MVC,
In the encoding step, the H.P. H.264 MVC to encode the image to generate the encoded stream;
In the multiplexing step, the H.P. The image encoding method according to claim 2, wherein the identifier is inserted into the MVC descriptor for H.264 MVC, and the MVC descriptor including the identifier and the encoded stream are multiplexed to generate the system stream. In the encoding step,
If the format of the image is the left / right mixed format, encode the image in the left / right mixed format;
The left-right independent format image, which is a format including a left-view picture and a right-view picture as different pictures, is encoded when the format of the image is not the left-right mixed format. Image coding method. The system layer conforms to the MPEG-2 system,
The video layer conforms to a scalable video coding scheme,
In the encoding step, the image is encoded according to the scalable video encoding method to generate the encoded stream,
The multiplexing step includes inserting the identifier into a descriptor for the scalable video coding scheme, and multiplexing the descriptor including the identifier and the encoded stream to generate the system stream. The image encoding method described. The video layer is H.264. H.264 SVC,
The descriptor for the scalable video coding scheme is the H.264 standard. SVC descriptor for H.264 SVC,
In the encoding step, the H.P. Generating the encoded stream by encoding the image according to H.264 SVC;
In the multiplexing step, the H.P. The image encoding method according to claim 5, wherein the identifier is inserted into the SVC descriptor for H.264 SVC, and the SVC descriptor including the identifier is multiplexed with the encoded stream to generate the system stream. In the encoding step,
If the format of the image is the left / right mixed format, encode the image for stereoscopic display;
The image encoding method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein when the format of the image is not the left-right mixed format, the image for flat display is encoded. The image encoding method further includes (i) including a first part of a left picture that is a picture of a left viewpoint in the image area for left viewpoint, and a second part of a right picture that is a picture of a right viewpoint. A picture included in the right-view image area is generated as a picture of the base layer, and (ii) a third portion that is a portion of the left picture and is different from the first portion is the left-view image By generating a picture that is included in a region and is a part of the right picture and includes a fourth part that is different from the second part in the image region for the right viewpoint as the enhancement layer picture, the image is Including a generation step to generate in a left-right mixed format,
The encoding step generates the encoded stream by encoding the image generated in the generation step when encoding the image in the left-right mixed format. The image encoding method described. The image encoding method further includes (i) including a first part of a left picture that is a picture of a left viewpoint in the image area for left viewpoint, and a second part of a right picture that is a picture of a right viewpoint. A picture included in the image area for the right viewpoint is generated as a picture of the base layer, and (ii) all of the left picture or a third part including the first part of the left picture is included in the left viewpoint A picture including the entire right picture or the fourth part including the second part of the right picture in the right-view image area as the enhancement layer picture. A generation step of generating the image in the left-right mixed format,
The encoding step generates the encoded stream by encoding the image generated in the generation step when encoding the image in the left-right mixed format. The image encoding method according to item. A system layer for acquiring the encoded stream from a system stream for transmitting or storing an encoded stream including an image including one or more pictures; and a video layer for decoding the image of the encoded stream An image decoding method,
The system layer includes: (i) a left and right image area in which the image format includes a base layer and an extension layer for supporting a plurality of precisions, and one picture includes a left viewpoint image area and a right viewpoint image area. An identifier indicating whether the format is a mixed format; and (ii) separating the encoded stream from the system stream to obtain the identifier and the encoded stream,
The video layer includes a decoding step of decoding the image included in the encoded stream acquired in the separation step;
The image decoding method further includes an output step of outputting the image decoded in the decoding step in an output mode specified according to the identifier acquired in the separation step,
In the decoding step, when the format of the image is the left-right mixed format, the base layer and the enhancement layer are included, and the left-view image region and the right-view image region are included in the one picture. An image decoding method for decoding the image including the image decoding method. The system layer conforms to the MPEG-2 system,
The video layer conforms to a multi-view video encoding scheme,
In the separation step, the descriptor for the multi-view video encoding method and the encoded stream are separated from the system stream, and the identifier included in the descriptor and the encoded stream are acquired.
The image decoding method according to claim 10, wherein in the decoding step, the image encoded according to the multi-view video encoding method is decoded. The video layer is H.264. H.264 MVC,
The descriptor for the multi-view video encoding method is the H.264 format. H.264 MVC descriptor for MVC,
In the separation step, the H.P. Separating the MVC descriptor for H.264 MVC and the encoded stream from the system stream to obtain the identifier and the encoded stream included in the MVC descriptor;
In the decoding step, the H.P. The image decoding method according to claim 11, wherein the image encoded according to H.264 MVC is decoded. In the decoding step,
If the format of the image is the left / right mixed format, decode the image in the left / right mixed format;
The image according to claim 11 or 12, wherein when the format of the image is not the left / right mixed format, the left / right independent format image, which is a format including a left-view picture and a right-view picture as different pictures, is decoded. Decryption method. The system layer conforms to the MPEG-2 system,
The video layer conforms to a scalable video coding scheme,
In the separation step, the descriptor for the scalable video coding method and the coded stream are separated from the system stream, and the identifier included in the descriptor and the coded stream are obtained.
The image decoding method according to claim 10, wherein in the decoding step, the image encoded according to the scalable video encoding scheme is decoded. The video layer is H.264. H.264 SVC,
The descriptor for the scalable video coding scheme is the H.264 standard. SVC descriptor for H.264 SVC,
In the separation step, the H.P. Separating the SVC descriptor for H.264 SVC and the encoded stream from the system stream to obtain the identifier and the encoded stream included in the SVC descriptor;
In the decoding step, the H.P. The image decoding method according to claim 14, wherein the image encoded according to H.264 SVC is decoded. In the decoding step,
If the format of the image is the left / right mixed format, decode the image for stereoscopic display;
The image decoding method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein when the format of the image is not the left-right mixed format, the image for planar display is decoded. The image decoding method further includes a generation step of generating a left picture that is a left-view picture and a right picture that is a right-view picture when the format of the image is the left-right mixed format,
In the generating step,
A first part of the left picture is obtained from the left viewpoint image area of the base layer picture that is a picture included in the image decoded in the decoding step and is a picture of the base layer;
Obtaining a second portion of the right picture from the right-view image area of the base layer picture;
A picture included in the image decoded in the decoding step, from the left viewpoint image area of the enhancement layer picture that is a picture of the enhancement layer, a portion of the left picture, and the first portion Get a different third part,
Obtaining a fourth part which is a part of the right picture and is different from the second part from the right viewpoint image area of the enhancement layer picture;
Generating the left picture from the acquired first part and the acquired third part;
Generating the right picture from the acquired second part and the acquired fourth part;
The output step outputs the left picture generated in the generation step and the right picture generated in the generation step as the image when the format of the image is the left-right mixed format. The image decoding method according to any one of 10 to 13. The image decoding method may further include a picture included in the image decoded in the decoding step when the format of the image is the left / right mixed format, and one of the base layer and the enhancement layer Generation of generating a left picture that is a left-view picture from the left-view image area of the decoded picture that is a picture, and generating a right picture that is a right-view picture from the right-view image area of the decoded picture Including steps,
The output step outputs the left picture generated in the generation step and the right picture generated in the generation step as the image when the format of the image is the left-right mixed format. The image decoding method according to any one of 10, 14 to 16. An image encoding apparatus comprising: a video layer unit that encodes an image composed of one or more pictures to generate an encoded stream; and a system layer unit that generates a system stream for transmitting or storing the encoded stream Because
The video layer unit includes an encoding unit that encodes the image to generate the encoded stream,
The system layer unit includes (i) a basic layer and an extended layer for the image format corresponding to a plurality of precisions, and one picture includes a left-viewpoint image area and a right-viewpoint image area. An identifier indicating whether the format is a left-right mixed format, and (ii) a multiplexing unit that multiplexes the encoded stream generated by the encoding unit to generate the system stream,
When the format of the image is the left / right mixed format, the encoding unit includes the base layer and the enhancement layer, and includes the left-view image region and the right-view image region in the one picture. An image encoding device that generates the encoded stream by encoding the image including the image. A system layer unit for obtaining the encoded stream from a system stream for transmitting or storing an encoded stream including an image composed of one or more pictures, and a video layer unit for decoding the image of the encoded stream; An image decoding device comprising:
The system layer unit includes (i) a basic layer and an extended layer for the image format corresponding to a plurality of precisions, and one picture includes a left-viewpoint image area and a right-viewpoint image area. An identifier indicating whether the format is a left-right mixed format; and (ii) a separating unit that separates the encoded stream from the system stream and obtains the identifier and the encoded stream;
The video layer unit includes a decoding unit that decodes the image included in the encoded stream acquired by the separation unit,
The image decoding apparatus further includes an output unit that outputs the image decoded by the decoding unit in an output mode specified according to the identifier acquired by the separation unit,
When the format of the image is the left / right mixed format, the decoding unit includes the base layer and the enhancement layer, and the left-view image region and the right-view image region are included in the one picture. An image decoding apparatus for decoding the image including the image decoding apparatus.

Images